James Alexander Francis Humbertson Stewart-Mackenzie

James Alexander Francis Humbertson Stewart-Mackenzie was born on 9 Nov 1847 the son of Keith William Stewart-Mackenzie and grandson of James Alexander Stewart-Mackenzie the politician and colonial administrator. His mother was Hannah Charlotte Hope-Vere. He was educated at Trinity College, Glenalmond, near Perth. He entered the army as a cornet in the 9th Lancers on 1 May 1867, serving with them for more than 30 years, during which time he was military secretary to Sir Mountstuart Grant Duff, Governor of Madras.
Captain Mackenzie was with the 9th Lancers in the Second Afghan War of 1878-80. He was on the Bazar Valley Expedition and the expedition to Maidan. At the Battle of Killa Kazi he was severely wounded but distinguished himself by bringing the regiment out of action. He was active in the operations around Kabul in December 1879 for which he was mentioned in despatches. He was on the famous march led by Lord Roberts from Kabul to Kandahar and fought at the battle of Kandahar. He was again mentioned in despatches and awarded a brevet majority. He commanded the regiment from 15 Dec 1890 to 15 Dec 1895, retiring with the rank of colonel.
After leaving the army he devoted himself to the management of his estates from his ancestral seat of Brahan Castle in Ross and Cromarty. He was a JP and Vice-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty in 1900, and for his services to the region was raised to the peerage in the 1921 New Year Honours. He took the title 1st Baron Seaforth which had been the title of his great-grandfather but could not be inherited because the four sons of Lord Seaforth (1754-1815) had all predeceased him. Colonel Mackenzie was regarded as the chief of Clan Mackenzie. He was married on 18 July 1899 to Mary Margaret Steinkopf. but there were no children so his title died out with him in 1923.
The photo is a detail from a group photo taken on 24 June 1913, at Tidworth, when drum banners were presented to the 9th Lancers. The same occasion also saw the presentation of a pair of silver drums to the regiment, conferred by Colonel Mackenzie. He is seen here in civilian clothes, the only person in the photo not smiling. He was in fact known as ‘Smiler’ because he was never known to smile.
1867 Cornet 1 May
1870 Lieutenant 8 June
1876 Captain 15 July
1881 Brevet Major 2 Mar
1881 Major 1 July
1886 Military secretary to Governor of Madras
1890 Lieutenant-Colonel 15 Dec
1894 Colonel 15 Dec
1899 Colonel of 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
1900 Vice-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty
1921 Created 1st Baron Seaforth
1923 Died on 3rd March

Regimental Details | Commanding Officers