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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (2) Cape Colony, Wittebergen (6908 Pte. D. Proudfoot, 1. High: Lt. Inft.);
KSA (2) (6908 Pte. D. Proudfoot. Highland L.I.)

David Proudfoot, a miner, was born in Moffatt in 1875 and attested for the Highland Light Infantry at Edinburgh on 24 April 1899. Posted to South Africa from 8 May 1900, his Army Service record notes that he was awarded the Mounted Infantry Certificate in 1902 and served with the British Expeditionary Force in France from 29 November 1914. He was subsequently discharged at Dumbarton from the 1st Garrison Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, upon the termination of his second period of engagement on 23 April 1916, his latter work in the Quartermaster’s stores described as ‘very good’.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS 1895 (1) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, clasp unofficially affixed (No. 5104 Pte J. Montague. 2. High. L.I.) renamed;
QSA (3) South Africa 1902, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, clasps remounted in this order on replacement carriage (5104 Pte. A. [sic] Montague. Highland L.I.);
1914-15 Star (Gnr. J. Montague. 7th. Cit. Batt.);
British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (A/Sjt. J. Montague. 4th. S.A.I.);
Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (James Montague.)

James Montague is confirmed in the roll as having served on the Punjab Frontier from 1897-98 with the 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. He later fought with the 1st Battalion during the Boer War, his roll entry noting the correct number but his initial as ‘A’.

Remaining in South Africa, he attested for service as Gunner in the 7th Citizen Battery on 9 September 1914 and was with the South African Infantry on the Somme before being evacuated due to a kidney infection in 1917; official correspondence from the Army Records Centre, Middlesex, confirms service in German South West Africa, Egypt and France during this time. Discharged unfit for further military service on 20 May 1918, he was admitted to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, on 23 March 1948.

He died on 22 November 1954 and was buried at Brookwood Cemetery, Woking, in the Royal Hospital Old Plot.