| Baird | Alexander Walter Frederic | | Lieutenant | BAIRD, ALEXANDER WALTER FREDERIC, Lieutenant, was born 2 October 1876, son of Sir Alexander Baird, Baronet, and the Honourable Annette Palk, daughter of the 1st Baron Haldon. He was educated at Eton (Cricket Eleven, 1894, 1895), and New College, Oxford, and joined the Army 15 May 1897, as a Second Lieutenant in the Gordon Highlanders; was promoted Lieutenant 9 June 1899. He served on the Staff during the South African War, 1899-1901; took part in operations in Natal, 1899, including actions at Lombard's Kop; was present at the Defence of Ladysmith, including sorties of 7 and 10 December 1899, and action of 6 January 1900; in Natal (March to June 1900), including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); took part in the operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including actions at Belfast (26 and 27 August) and Lydenberg (5 to 8 September); again in the Transvaal, Orange River Colony, and Cape Colony, 1900-2. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901 (Sir R H Buller, 13 September and 9 November 1900), and London Gazette, 10 September 1901, and 28 January 1902]; received the Queen's Medal with three clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps; the Brevet of Major 22 August 1902, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 28 January 1902]: "Alexander Walter Frederic Baird, Lieutenant, The Gordon Highlanders. For valuable services in the Intelligence Department". He was invested by the King 13 October 1902. He was promoted Captain 22 June 1902; became ADC to 1st Class District Commander, India, 14 November 1902; was Adjutant, Gordon Highlanders, 20 August 1907 to 3 October 1908. He served in the Mohmand Expedition, being employed as DAAG and Press Censor, Mohmand Field Force, 24 April to 5 June 1908; GSO2, Mauritius, 10 October 1908 to 14 May 1911; Staff Captain, War Office, 15 May 1911 to 9 October 1913; employed with the Egyptian Army from 15 July 1914. He also served in the European War from 1914; was Temporary Lieutenant Colonel, Gordon Highlanders, 2 November 1914 to 7 April 1915, and 23 April to 10 July 1915. He was promoted Major 15 March 1915; appointed GSO2, BEF, 10 July 1915; given his Brevet Lieutenant Colonelcy 3 June 1916; was Brigade Commander, 100th Infantry Brigade, 18 February 1916 to 31 January 1919; given the Brevet of Colonel, January 1918. He was six times mentioned in Despatches; created a CMG, February 1915; Commander of the Legion of Honour, 1916, and a CB 1919. Brigadier General A W F Baird became Military Attache (British Military Representative), Sofia, 12 February 1919. He married, in 1907, Maud Constance, daughter of Dr Waylen, IMS, and they had one son, born in January 1908.
CB (m), CMG, DSO, QSA (4) DofL L-N Bel OFS, KSA (2), IGS 1908 (1) NWF 1908, 1914 Star and Bar, BWM, Victory Medal with MID, Order of Alexander (Bulgaria) 2nd Class, Order of White Eagle (Serbia) 3rd Class, Legion d'Honneur (France) 3rd Class, Criox de Guerre (France), Croce de Guerra (Italy) Africa General Service Medal (Spain). Regimental Museum 2001.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Gordon Highlanders |
