TOPIC:

The above chap initially went to South Africa (from the UK) as a War Correspondant in South Africa. It is said that he joined French's Scouts, was injured and taken prisoner at Lindley (he went 'missing' in May 1901, I believe).

How can I find evidence that he was indeed a member of French's Scouts? And is it likely that I could find out how he was injured or how he escaped from capture?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated ... I'm all at sea with this one.

Many thanks
Annie

Annie,

Apologies for the delay in replying to you.

There is a medal roll for French's Scouts and also one for War Correspondents. On the War Correspondents roll (WO100/371p18) there is an entry for A Graham who worked with the Central News.

I cannot find anyone of that name on the roll for French's Scouts but it may be that he rode with them.

Elizabeth Charlotte Briggs in "The staff work of the Anglo-Boer war, 1899-1901" states:
Mr. A. Graham, Central News, missing since May 21, supposed captured.

I have searched for any publications from the period for the Central News but not yet found any. I'll keep looking.

Regards
David

Annie,

Better still. Have a look at this page which contains a photo of him. www.chch.ox.ac.uk/cathedral/memorials/WW1/Alexander-Graham

Date of birth: 2 November 1879
Date of death: 10 September 1916

Killed in action aged 36
Buried at Citadel New Military Cemetery, Fricourt, Somme, France.
Plot II. Row A. Grave 11.

Alexander Cecil was the son of Frederick Graham, a silk merchant, and Mary Jane, of 29 Palace Gate, Kensington, London. He was baptised at St Philip‘s Church, Lambeth on 2 February 1881 when they were living at Oak Villa, Queen’s Road, Kingston Hill.

He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford.

During the South African (Boer) War, he acted first as a War Correspondent and later joined General French's Scouts, being wounded and captured at Lindley. On his return to England he went on the Stock Exchange and, joining the firm of H. K. Paxton, became a member in 1905.

He married in 1904, Ethel Daisy Egerton (formerly Graham), only daughter of the late H. K. Paxton. In 1911, they were living at Iverfarne, Iver Heath. Buckinghamshire

In September 1914, he joined the Naval Division as Sub-Lieutenant in the "Hood" Battalion, and went with them to Antwerp. In October of the same year, he was promoted Lieutenant-Commander, and appointed Adjutant of his Battalion. He went to Gallipoli, where he was wounded on 2 May 1915, and invalided to UK on 17 June.

In December Captain Graham received a commission in the Grenadier Guards as Captain, Special Reserve, and proceeded to the front in April. He was killed at Ginchy when commanding his company during the battle of the Somme.

Probate was granted to his widow, his Effects amounted to £589 4s 6d.

Annie,

A page from the Stock Exchange Roll of Honour.

www.roll-of-honour.com/London/StockExchange.html

David,

Very many thanks for your interest in my query, it is most kind of you to occupy yourself with it.

The Alexander GRAHAM story has moved along quite a lot, although I am still at a complete standstill with his Boer War exploits.

I have had confirmation from another very helpful member of this Forum that he was awarded the QSA Medal, which would have been presented to journalists and others, as well as combattants. Other than this, I can't prove or disprove anything.

Briefly, I'll recount the rest of his military-oriented story. He served during WW1, firstly with the Royal Naval Division (Hood Battalion) and General French was involved here too ... maybe there's a connection. After fighting/escaping during/after the siege of Antwerp, the Division went to Gallipoli. Here, he was injured slightly and invalided home. Next, he secured a commission in the 1st Bn Grenadier Guards and joined them in April 1916 - serving mainly around the Ypres Salient to begin with. Then, in the summer of 1916, the Battalion moved towards the Somme. In September, Alexander, by now a Captain, led his men one last time in a valiant (but in vain) attack on an enemy stronghold in the Ginchy area. He was clearly well thought of as he was mentioned in the War Diary of another battalion - actually, I am amazed that he was never decorated for his bravery..

Every other part of his 'story' is quite well documented - either archive material or reference works - except his involvement in the Boer War! This interests me because I'm trying to get a feel for what motivated him to rush into army life as WW1 broke out - it seems to me that he got a taste of it in South Africa, but I can't be confident.

Alec is one of 175 local men from my village who served during WW1 and one of the 40 who didn't come home. I am researching them all, albeit in not quite the same detail as Captain GRAHAM - I'm making a special 'case study' of him, as you might have gathered!

Thank you once again & kind regards
Annie

Annie,

I searched today for any copies of the Central News online but failed to find any. Have you come across any?

Regards
David