Cpt Alexander Campbell - 4th Seaforth Highlanders (Territorial)

[lyndseyc]

Hi

I'm in the process of tracing my family tree & I'm hoping someone can help me with shedding some light on my great grandfather. I do know he was a captain in the 4th Seaforth Highlanders (Territorial) and that he was awarded the MC & Croix de Guerre, what I don't know is his exact place & DOB, which is hindering my family tree somewhat. I have acquired his MIC but am having trouble deciphering it

I'd be grateful for any advice/tips/guidance.

Thanks

I do have a photo of him in his military uniform if anyone thinks this would help.

[Stebie9173]

Here is the announcment of his Croix de Guerre in the London Gazette.

LG 7-10-1919

Captain Alexander Campbell, M.C., 4th Battalion Seaforth Higlanders (Territorial Force)

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

No citations were published for these awards.

Steve.

[Stebie9173]

His MC Citation.

LG 15-10-1918

Capt. Alexander Campbell, Sea. Highrs.

This officer led his company with great gallantry and skill in an attack, and held the ground taken after heavy casualties. On two occasions he led patrols, at great personal risk, to locate the enemy after drawing their machine-gun fire. Throughout the operations he set a splendid example of courage and determination.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

The medal was possibly won during mid-1918.

The 1/4th Seaforth Highlanders were in several Divisions but in 51st Division by the time of his MC award.

http://www.1914-1918.net/seaforth.htm

http://www.1914-1918.net/51div.htm

Steve.

[lyndseyc]

His MC Citation.

LG 15-10-1918

Capt. Alexander Campbell, Sea. Highrs.

This officer led his company with great gallantry and skill in an attack, and held the ground taken after heavy casualties. On two occasions he led patrols, at great personal risk, to locate the enemy after drawing their machine-gun fire. Throughout the operations he set a splendid example of courage and determination.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

The medal was possibly won during mid-1918.

The 1/4th Seaforth Highlanders were in several Divisions but in 51st Division by the time of his MC award.

http://www.1914-1918.net/seaforth.htm

http://www.1914-1918.net/51div.htm

Steve.

Wow. Thanks for this Steve. I appreciate you taking the time out to find this. How do you suggest I go about finding out his DOB from this, or do I maybe need to find his military records?

Lyndsey

[Stebie9173]

As an officer there is a good chance that his Service Record file survives in the National Archives at Kew. The following are all possibles:

WO 339/28774 CAMPBELL A, Major 1899-1921; 1943

WO 339/33952 CAMPBELL A, Capt 1914-1920

WO 339/37988 CAMPBELL A, Lieut 1914-1917

WO 339/52988 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/57638 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/59119 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/63921 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/72205 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/72450 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/75549 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/76899 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/80806 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/86904 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/89007 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/95105 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/98185 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/104396 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/110776 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/112086 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/112087 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/121629 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/122471 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/123450 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/125434 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/127798 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

WO 339/137190 CAMPBELL A [1914-1922]

No further information is given in the Index, so it is a matter of visiting Kew and looking through them until you identify him. There is also a chance that his records are no longer with us for some reason.

If you can find his file, his Officer Attestation will have his date and place of birth listed.

Steve.

[lyndseyc]

OK. Looks like I need to take a trip to Kew then, shame it's not in walking distance from Sheffield!

Thanks again for your help.

Lyndsey.

[John Burnett]

If you get his death certificate, you should get his age then work out dob. Your grannie's death cert would say if he was still alive then. Or your parents marriage cert would indicate if hewas alive when they married. (This all relates to Scottish certs, not 100% sure what is on English ones) Also 1901 census will give indication of where he came from.

[lyndseyc]

Thanks John.

I'm in the middle of trying to track down birth certs etc. I'm pretty sure english marriage certs don't list grandparents details, so I'm hoping I can track down my grandparents marriage cert as this will have some detail of Alexander on there.

Thanks again.

[John Burnett]

Sorry Lyndsey misread your mail. Thought it was your grandfather not great grandfather. So in my example you would have to get your grandparents certs. You could try familysearch the Mormons site which is free. If you find out they come from Scotland drop me a pm as I am going to Edinburgh where the records are on 5/2.

[dycer]

John,

If you're going to Register House for the first-time.Take plenty of bawbees as the photocopying costs soon adds up

Don't worry, I was there last September so copied what I needed.

One thing I was unable to photocopy,though,was the Army Death returns,although I could view them.Don't need copies for my research but you might want to be aware and check with the Team Leader why they cannot be copied if you need prints.

George

[lyndseyc]

Thanks for the offer John. I think he may well have originated from Scotland, so I'll check it out and get back to you.

Lyndsey