| Grahame | John Crum | | Captain | GRAHAME, JOHN CRUM, Captain, was born at Auldhouse, Renfrewshire, 2 February 1870, son of James Grahame and Agnes Crum, daughter of John Crum, of Thornliebank; and great-grandson of Archibald Graharne, of Drumquhassle, Drymen, Stirlingshire. He was educated at Cargilfield, and Harrow; joined the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry (from the Militia) 9 April 1892; became Lieutenant 22 November 1894. He served on the North-West Frontier of India, 1897-98, with the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, with Malakand and Buner Field Forces; in operations in Bajour and in the Mamund country; assault and capture of the Tanga Pass (India Medal and clasp "Punjab Frontier, 1897-98"). He took part in the operations in Ashanti, 1900—under Sir James Willcocks—attached to 1st Battalion West African Frontier Force, as Subaltern, and finally Captain (1 August 1900), of F (Haussa) Company; was present at assault and capture of Kokofu; actions near Kumassi and Danassi, and the final defeat of the Ashantis near Obassi. He was mentioned in Despatches: "This officer did very good work" (Ashanti Medal, 1900, with clasp "Kumassi"). In the operations in Southern Nigeria, 1901-2, he was with the 3rd Battalion West African Frontier Force, as Captain, F (Yoruba) Company, and was appointed Local Major and to command a District. He was mentioned in Despatches by the Officer Commanding the Field Force: "After the capture of Aro Chuko, this officer was selected to disarm and subjugate a large extent of territory. So well was this duty carried out that I was enabled to bring hostilities to a close at least a month sooner than I anticipated, and before the rains set in". He took part in various engagements, was slightly wounded; received the African General Service Medal with clasp "Aro, 1901-2", and was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 12 September 1902]: "John Crum Grahame, Captain, Highland Light Infantry. For services during the Aro Expedition in Southern Nigeria". He served with the Egyptian Army, 1903-7; attached Sudan Civil Administration, 1904-7; was promoted Major 18 December 1908; commanded Detachment, 2nd Highland Light Infantry, which was on duty at the Coronation of King George V (Coronation Medal). He commanded the Depot of the Highland Light Infantry, 1911-12. In August 1914, he was appointed to command the 10th (Service) Battalion Highland Light Infantry, which he raised, organized and trained. In May 1915, he took this battalion to France, and served in the trenches near Festubert and Cambrai. He commanded the battalion at the Battle of Loos (severely gassed in action); was mentioned in Despatches (January 1916), for "gallant and distinguished conduct in the field". He commanded the 10th Highland Light Infantry till 9 March 1916, when he was invalided home; rejoined Expeditionary Force for the fourth time in December 1916, and was in command in the trenches of the 10/11th Highland Light Infantry, and subsequently of the 12th Battalion, and of the 9th Battalion (Glasgow Highlanders). On promotion to Substantive Lieutenant Colonel (16 December 1916), he took over command in the field of his old battalion, the 2nd Highland Light Infantry, with which he was serving when very severely wounded near Oppy during the Battle of Arras, April 1917. Lieutenant Colonel Grahame had thus the honour of commanding in the Field Regular, Service and Territorial Units of the Highland Light Infantry. He did much big game shooting on the Blue Nile, and travelled considerably in Europe—Bosnia, Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary and Galicia, and also in the Himalayas. Lieutenant Colonel Grahame married, 27 July 1905, at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, Alice Clara, younger daughter of John Purvis, of Kinaldy, Fife, and Wilhelmina, eldest daughter of William Berry, of Tayfield, Fife.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Highland Light Infantry |
