| Sandilands | James Walter | | Captain | SANDILANDS, JAMES WALTER, Captain, was born 6September 1874, second son of A Sandilands. He was educated at Harrow, and entered the Gordon Highlanders, from the Militia, as Second Lieutenant, 24 March 1897. He was transferred to the Cameron Highlanders 1 May 1897, and served in the Sudan Campaign in 1898, being present at the battles of the Atbara and Khartoum. He was mentioned in Despatches, and received the British Medal and Khedive's Medal with two clasps. He became Lieutenant 28 September 1898, and Captain 29 May 1901, and served in the South African War, 1900-1, with the Mounted Infantry, and took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, March to May 1900; in the Transvaal, May and June 1900, including the actions near Pretoria, and at Diamond Hill, and from July to 29 November 1900, including the action at Eland's River, in the Orange River Colony, June to November 1900, including the actions in the Wittebergen; Cape Colony, 1900; in the Transvaal, 30 November 1900. to January 1901. He was dangerously wounded at Noitgedacht on 13 December 1900; mentioned in Despatches twice [London Gazette, 10 September 1901. and 29 July 1902]; awarded the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "James Walter Sandilands, Captain, Cameron Highlanders. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He became Captain 29 May 1901; was Officer in Charge of Musketry Duties, Welsh and Midland Command; Captain attached to General Staff, Western Command, 23 October 1905 to 1909; student at the Staff College, 1910-11. During the European War he served as DAA and QMG, Scottish Coast Defences, 5 August to 1 November 1914; commanded the London Scottish in 1914; was Brigade Major, 46th Infantry Brigade, New Armies, 24 February to 22 April 1915; was promoted to Major 16 February 1915; was Temporary Lieutenant Colonel, commanding the 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders, 23 April 1915 to 13 April 1916; Brigade Commander, 104th Infantry Brigade, British Armies in France, from 14 April 1916, and commanded it for three years, also the 1st Northern Brigade; 2nd Highland, and 20th Prov Brigade, until 1 April 1920. He was mentioned in Despatches six times; was given the Brevets of Lieutenant Colonel 3 June 1916, and Colonel 3 June 1918; created a CMG in 1916, and a CB in 1919.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Queen's Own) Cameron Highlanders |
