Cuninghame | Thomas Andrew Alexander Montgo | | Lieutenant | CUNINGHAME, SIR THOMAS ANDREW ALEXANDER MONTGOMERY, Lieutenant, was born 30 March 1877, elder son of Major Sir William James Montgomery Cuninghame, VC (late Rifle Brigade), and Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Edward Bouchier Hartopp, of Dalby Hall, near Melton Mowbray. He was educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; was commissioned in the Rifle Brigade 17 February 1897, and became Lieutenant 15 March 1899. He served in South Africa, 1899-1902, as Brigade Signalling Officer 18 April to 31 July 1900, and as Staff Captain (Intelligence) 1 August 1900 to 5 November 1903; at the Relief of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso; operations of 17 to 24 January 1900; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz (severely wounded); took part in the operations in Natal, March to June 1900, including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900; afterwards on Staff. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February and 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Sir Thomas Andrew Alexander Montgomery Cuninghame, Lieutenant, Rifle Brigade. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia, Warrant and Statutes were sent to the GOC, Transvaal, 3 February 1903, and presented by the GOC at Pretoria 25 March 1903. He was promoted to Captain 18 January 1902; was Staff Captain, 5th Division, Irish Command, 2 April 1908 to 15 January 1909; DAQMG, 5th Division, Irish Command, 16 January 1909 to 1 April 1912; Military Attache (GSO), Vienna and Cettinje, 9 August 1912 to 6 September 1914. He served in the European War from 1914; was GSO2, attached French Army, 7 September to 7 December 1914; GSO2, 1st Army Corps, BEF, 8 December 1914 to 17 February 1915; Temp. Lieutenant Colonel and Military Attache, Athens (temporary), 21 February 1915 to 25 March 1916; GSO1, 68th Division, Home Forces, 17 May 1916 to 22 October 1917; GSO1, School of Instruction, British Armies in France, 16 October 1918; GSO1, British Military Representative in Austria, 5 December 1918. He was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 1 January 1919. He succeeded his father in 1897, and is the 10th Baronet (created 1872) of Corsehill, Ayrshire, and Kirktonholm, in Lanarkshire. Sir Thomas Cuninghame married, in 1904, Alice Frances Denison, eldest daughter of Sir G William Des Voeux, GCMG, and granddaughter of Sir J Pender, and they had one son, Alexander William Henry James, born 28 October 1905, and one daughter.
DSO, QSA (5) CC OFS RofL Trans L-N (Capr Sir, RB), KSA (2) (Capt Sir, DSO, RB) 1914 Star (Maj Sir Bt DSO RB), BWM (Lt Col Sir), Victory Medal with MID (Lt Col Sir), Distinguished Service Medal (USA), Croix de Guerre with palm (France), War Cross (Czechoslovakia) Legion dHonneur (France) 3rd Class, Order of George 1 (Greece) 2nd Class, Order of the Redeemer (Greece) 3rd Class. Glendinings 1990 est £1500-2000. Liverpool 1994 £3500. Spinks 1999 (no sale).
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Prince Consort's Own) Rifle Brigade |