Cecil Macdonald Stephenson joined the 1st Battalion King’s Own Borderers in November 1885 when they were stationed at Meerut in India. He served with the 1st Battalion in the Chin-Lushai Expeditionary Force of 1889–90. In 1895 he was detached for duty as Adjutant of the 4th Volunteer Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) based in Perth. He was a captain in the 1st Battalion in the South African War 1901–02. On 3 December 1910 he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion as Commanding Officer, an appointment he retained throughout World War One.
The photo shows Stephenson as CO sitting between a captain and the RSM, published in The Scottish Soldier by Stephen Wood (1987). It is a detail from a group photo of the regimental tug‑o‑war team of the 2nd Battalion, taken in Dublin 1914. Lieutenant‑Colonel Stephenson is also to be seen wearing dress uniform in a group photo of officers of the 2nd Battalion in 1914.
1885 Lieutenant 25 Nov
1893 Captain 1 Mar
1895 Adjutant 4th Vol Bn Black Watch 15 May
1902 Major 3 Dec
1910 Lieutenant-Colonel 3 Dec
