General Sir Duncan Alexander Cameron GCB


Duncan Alexander Cameron was most associated with the Black Watch. He joined the 42nd regiment as an ensign in 1825 and purchased his way to Lieutenant-Colonel, becoming Commanding Officer in 1843. He commanded the regiment at the battle of the Alma and commanded the Highland brigade at Balaklava, the expedition to Kertch, the siege of Sevastopol and the assault on the Redan on 18th June. He was put in command of Shorncliffe and Dover and was Vice-President of the Council for Military Education. In 1859 he was promoted to Major-General and commanded the forces in Scotland from 1860-61. He commanded the army in New Zealand during the third Maori War of 1863-65, for which he was well praised and rewarded. He was governor of the Royal Military College from 1868 to 1875 and was appointed Colonel of the 42nd Highlanders in September 1863 (not 1854 as inscribed on the painting). He reached the rank of general and died on 8th June 1888. His medals are for the Crimean War, the New Zealand War (blue and red ribbon), Legion d'Honneur, Order of the Medjidie, Turkish and Sardinian medals. Around his neck is the Order of the Bath and the badge on his chest also for his KCB. The crimson sash on his right shoulder is also part of the KCB regalia, and the gold striped sash on his left shoulder is the regimental officer's sash for levee order.

Original Painting is held at: The Black Watch Castle & Museum in Perth.


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