The Hon Walter Philip Alexander


Walter Philip Alexander was born on 9 Feb 1849. He was the second son of James Du Pre Alexander, 3rd Earl of Caledon and Lady Jane nee Grimston. He gained his commission on 3 Feb 1869 and was promoted to lieutenant by purchase on 10 May 1871, although he was probably compensated for the expense as this was the year that the purchase of commissions was abolished. He was appointed adjutant of the Scots Greys on 18 Dec 1875 and was promoted to captain on 24 Nov 1877. He reached the rank of major on 5 July 1886 and is seen in this photograph in the rank of major in 1890. He has a crown badge on each shoulder strap of his undress frockcoat. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel on 5 July 1896 and took command of the regiment. He retained command until Sep 1900, taking the regiment to South Africa for the Boer War. He was married, on 13 April 1882, to his cousin Margaret Katherine Grimston daughter of Rev Hon Francis Sylvester Grimston. Colonel Alexander died on 30 Oct 1934.


Regimental Details | Commanding Officers


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by Stephen Luscombe