26684 Superintending Clerk

JAMES ST. CLAIR McGREGOR

Royal Engineers

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Edward De Santis, MSCE, P.E., MInstRE

(2004, revised August 2022)

Figure 1. Crest of the Corps of Royal Engineers (GVR)

(Image courtesy of Stuart Gase)

1. INTRODUCTION

Unless otherwise noted, the details supplied in this narrative were extracted from the soldier’s service papers obtained from the National Archives (formerly the Public Record Office) at Kew, Richmond, Surrey. It should be noted that McGregor’s papers were located in the burnt document files, therefore they were not completely legible. Some information pertaining to his service had to be omitted because it could not be read clearly from the papers. Some place names or dates may also be in error due to the poor condition of the service papers.

2. EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY INFORMATION

James McGregor was born on 20 May 1878 in the town of Wick in Caithness, Scotland.[1] He was the son of 7801 Quartermaster Sergeant John McGregor,[2] Royal Engineers and his wife Helen (nee Campbell).

The McGregors had another son named Robert who also served in the Royal Engineers.[3] They also had a daughter named Mary Isabell as shown in the census table below.

1881 Census of England

Address: 13 Arden Street, New Brompton, Chatham, Kent.[4]
Name and Surname	Relation	Marital Status	Age	Profession or Occupation	Birthplace
John McGregor	Head	Married	35	QM Sergeant, Royal Engineers	Scotland
Helen H. McGregor	Wife	Married	29	Soldiers Wife	Scotland
James St. Clair McGregor	Son		3		Scotland
Mary Isabell McGregor	Daughter		2		Chatham, Kent
Robert Campbell McGregor	Son		5 mos		Gillingham, Kent

James's service papers indicate that the McGregors were members of the Presbyterian church.

3. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a description of James McGregor at the time he enlisted as a Boy Soldier in the Army in 1892:

Age:	14 years and 0 months.
Height:	5 feet 4½ inches.
Weight:	133 pounds.
Chest Measurement (minimum):	31 inches.
Chest Measurement (maximum):	33 inches.
Complexion:	Fair.
Eyes:	Blue.
Hair:	Brown.
Distinctive Marks:	Scar on his right calf.

4. RECRUITMENT, ENLISTMENT AND TRAINING

Recruitment

As James McGregor was the son of a senior non-commissioned officer in the Royal Engineers, he had been accustomed to life in the military from an early age. His father's chosen career undoubtedly influenced James's decision to enlist in the Army as Boy Soldier[5] when he reached the age of 14 years. It may be that his father even brought him to the Recruiting Sergeant in London on 21 May 1892 when he enlisted.

Enlistment

James enlisted for 12 years with the Colours.[6] In response to the normal questions asked of a recruit at the time of enlistment, James indicated that he had been living with his parents, that he had no trade, and that he was not an apprentice. He further stated that he was not married and that he had never been imprisoned by civil power. Obviously for a boy of his age he was not a member of the naval or military forces, he had no prior military service, he had never previously been discharged from the service under less than honorable circumstances and had never been rejected as unfit for service. At the time of his recruitment, James indicated a willingness to be enlisted in the Royal Engineers, obviously desiring to follow in his father's footsteps.

James was determined to be fit for service in the Army as indicated by the Certificate of Medical Examination issued on 21 May 1892 as part of his attestation papers.[7] A Certificate of Primary Military Examination also was issued on the same date proclaiming him fit for service in the Royal Engineers. Fitness for service in the Royal Engineers normally was based on the civil trade or occupation of the recruit. Men who had worked in the building trades prior to enlisting were much sought after. In the case of young James, his father's influence probably had much to do with his acceptability for service in the Corps.

Training

Following his enlistment, James was assigned Regimental Number 26684 and apparently was posted to the headquarters of the Royal Engineers at Brompton Barracks in Chatham, Kent. After a period of training, he was appointed to the rank of Bugler on 1 July 1893 while still serving as a Boy Soldier.[8] It is not known whether he received his basic engineer recruit training during this period or whether this training was delayed until after he entered the ranks as a Sapper after attaining the age of 18 years.[9] In 1895, James's brother Robert enlisted in the Royal Engineers, probably as a Boy Soldier.[10] Robert was issued Regimental Number 28974. Like his brother James before him, his father's position as a senior non-commissioned officer in the Corps probably prompted his enlistment at such an early age.

5. ASSIGNMENTS AND CAMPAIGN SERVICE

Dublin (1893-1897)

Bugler James McGregor turned 18 years of age on 21 May 1896 and on that date he was posted to the ranks of the Royal Engineers as a Sapper. He was assigned to the Ordnance Survey Office at Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland where he was assigned duties as a draughtsman. On 28 May 1896 Sapper McGregor was tested at Phoenix Park and was granted a Certificate of Trade Proficiency as a "Fair" Draughtsman.

Chatham and Aldershot (1897)

McGregor's service papers indicate that he may have returned to Chatham early in 1897, perhaps to attend a course and to again qualify as a draughtsman. On 7 March 1897 he was again qualified as a "Fair" Draughtsman by the Commandant of the School of Military Engineering.

Figure 2. Crest of the School of Military Engineering

(Image courtesy of Stuart Gase)

From Chatham he proceeded to Aldershot to work in the office of the Commander Royal Engineers (CRE) at that station. On 16 October 1897 he was again tested and this time the CRE qualified Sapper McGregor as a "Skilled" Draughtsman.

Egypt (1897-1902)

Sapper McGregor left England for Egypt on 20 December 1897. His records do not indicate to which unit he was assigned or specifically where in Egypt he served. He remained in Egypt for over four years, during which time the South African War (1899-1902) was fought against the Boers. The Sudanese campaigns of 1896-1899 also were fought while McGregor was in Egypt; however, his records do not indicate that he participated in any of these campaigns.

Malta (1902-1905)

McGregor was transferred to Malta on 3 April 1902 and was posted to the 31^st (Fortress) Company, R.E. at Valletta. Valletta is a seaport city on the northeast coast of the island of Malta. It is located on a rock promontory with harbors on either side and was a principal base of the Royal Navy. The mission of McGregor's company at that time was to provide engineer support to the infantry and artillery units occupying the fortresses guarding the harbors at Valletta.

On 16 May 1904 McGregor submitted a request to re-engage to complete 21 years of service.[11] He was administered a medical examination by Captain Surgeon C. Mance, M.D. of the 2^nd Battalion, Royal Malta Regiment of Militia[12] and was found fit for continued service. His re-engagement was witnessed by Sergeant F. Rowe, R.E. and was certified by Major G.L. Fanshawe, R.E., the Officer Commanding the 31^st (Fortress) Company. On the following day McGregor's re-engagement was approved by Lieutenant Colonel William Yolland, the Officer Commanding Royal Engineers Companies on Malta.

Home Service (1905-1907)

McGregor arrived home from Malta on 12 April 1905. Unfortunately, his service papers do not indicate where he served during this period. It is evident, however, that he was serving in the Establishment for Engineer Services (EES) at the time.[13]

Jamaica (1907-1911)

On 30 November 1907 McGregor departed England for the island of Jamaica. At the time of his service there the Royal Engineers establishment on the island consisted of an R.E. Headquarters and the 44^th (Fortress) Company, R.E.[14] The R.E. Headquarters was located at Up Park with elements of the 44^th Company at Newcastle and Port Royal. McGregor served on the island of Jamaica for a little over three years, returning to England on 10 January 1911.

Aldershot (1911-1914)

On his return to England, McGregor was posted to Aldershot where he was assigned duties as a draughtsman in the office of the CRE South Aldershot at Stanhope Lines. While at Aldershot, McGregor decided to apply for an extension to his service to complete 21 years with the Colours.[15] It is unclear from his service papers why he made this second application to extend his service, since he had already done so in 1904. Lieutenant Colonel J.W. Gibbon, R.E., CRE South Aldershot, recommended approval of McGregor's extension application on 10 June 1912. On 13 June his extension to complete 21 years of service was endorsed by Colonel J.W. Cowan, the Assistant Director of Field Works at the War Office. Final approval of McGregor's request was given on 17 June. The way was now paved for him to receive a pension upon his discharge at 21 years.

According to his service papers, James McGregor was serving with the 5^th Field Company, R.E. in Stanhope Lines at Aldershot on 14 August 1912.[16] It appears that his assignment to the company was for administrative purposes only, as he was employed in the office of the CRE of the 2^nd Division. The officers in the 5^th Field Company at the time included:[17]

Captain J.W. Skipwith

Captain A.J. Darlington (attached)[18]

Lieutenant J.N. Nash

Lieutenant R.G.W.H. Stone [19]

Figure 3. Crest of the 5^th Field Company, Royal Engineers.

(Image courtesy of Stuart Gase)

In 1913, while still at Aldershot working as a draughtsman in the office of the CRE, McGregor requested and was granted permission to continue in service beyond 21 years.[20] During this same year it appears that McGregor considered a transfer to the Army Ordnance Corps. On 15 July 1913 a letter was sent to the Officer In Charge Royal Engineers Records at Chatham from the Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores at the War Office indicating that McGregor had been put on the list of candidates for the appointment of Sub-Conductor, Army Ordnance Corps. This transfer never materialized.

On 16 October 1913 while he was serving in the 5^th Field Company with the 2^nd Division at Aldershot, McGregor's Employment Sheet was prepared by Captain A. Darlington, R.E., Acting Adjutant of the 2^nd Division Royal Engineers. Captain Darlington had this to say about him:

Military Character:	Exemplary
Cases of Drunkeness on Duty:	None
Cases of Ordinary Drunkeness:	2 ^(*)
Nature of Employment since last Assessment:	Draughtsman
Character for Civil Employment:	"Intelligent and reliable." Experienced in survey work. A good clerk.

(*) This is an interesting entry as it indicates that lack of sobriety was noted on two occasions by McGregor's commanding officer and the incidents were significant enough to be included in his Employment Sheet.

On 6 September 1914 Captain Darlington submitted a similar report concerning McGregor, which read as follows:

Military Character:	Very Good ⁽⁺⁾
Cases of Drunkeness on Duty:	None
Cases of Ordinary Drunkeness:	2
Nature of Employment since last Assessment:	Draughtsman
Character for Civil Employment:	"Intelligent and reliable." Experienced in survey work. A good clerk.

(+) Captain Darlington elected to downgrade McGregor's conduct from "Exemplary" on 16 October 1913 report to "Very Good" on this latest report. Two cases of "ordinary drunkeness" are again noted. Presumably "ordinary drunkeness" is meant to signify overindulgence when off duty. Again, the incidents must have been significant enough so that they were brought to the attention of the CRE's Adjutant.

Figure 4. R.G.W.H. Stone as a Lieutenant General.

(Image courtesy of the Imperial War Museum)

A further indication of McGregor's performance was presented on 1 October 1914 in a document entitled "Confidential Report on the Warrant and Non-Commissioned Officers - E.E.S. to the Director of Works, Aldershot Command." The report rendered on McGregor read as follows:

· Position held: Chief Clerk in the office of the Chief Engineer, Aldershot.

· Considered zealous and accurate.

· Good knowledge of work and good judgement.

· In good health and generally active.

· Fit for promotion to a higher grade.

· Works well and steadily. An excellent Clerk, but can only be "recommended" as a Draughtsman.

· General Conduct and Character: Exemplary.

· Specially recommended (as a Clerk).

As seen from this report, McGregor had left the office of the CRE South Aldershot sometime in September of 1914 and was posted to the office of the Chief Engineer, Aldershot Command. Although McGregor was "an excellent Clerk" he could only be recommend as a Draughtsman, presumably because he was at that time he was filling a Draughtsman's position in the office and not that of a Clerk. The officer rendering the report specially recommends him as a Clerk in his final comment, probably in an effort to bring his talents to the attention of higher command.

The Great War of 1914-1918 had begun in Europe in August of 1914. The British Expeditionary Force had already deployed to France and many more men were being readied for service in the theatre. It appears that the last report on McGregor's performance of duty was submitted in preparation for his departure from Aldershot. He had already been alerted for deployment abroad and was preparing to depart for France. On 12 October 1914 a telegram was sent from the War Office to the Commander, Aldershot Command ordering McGregor to proceed to Southampton no later than 10 p.m. on 14 October 1914.

France and Flanders (1914-1920)

McGregor proceeded to Southampton on 14 October 1914 for duty with the Director of Works in France. He embarked on a London and Southwestern steamer with orders assigning him to the 29^th (Works) Company, R.E., one of the first units to arrive in France after the start of the war as a Lines of Communication unit.[21] He arrived in France on 15 October 1914 to begin his service with the British Expeditionary Force.

Prior to the time of McGregor's posting, the 29^th (Works) Company contained five engineer store and ledger-keepers and five engineer clerks, most of whom were distributed between Rouen, Boulogne and Havre before the evacuation of these stations took place in face of German offensive operations in August of 1914. No. 3 Section of the company was located at Amiens where it worked on the following tasks, typical for a works company:

· Establishment of No. 7 General Hospital in three buildings (a convent school, a public school and a private school).

· Water supply and other services for a veterinary hospital in the Cauvin Yvose jute factory.

· Fitting up ambulance trains.

· Arranging for a second general hospital (tented) at Longeau.

· Water supply arrangements for an advanced remount depot.

· Preparation of a camp for 6,000 reinforcements.

This work was carried out by the Royal Engineers troops with the assistance of civilian contractors.

Orders were received on 26 August 1914 to evacuate Amiens in the face of the German offensive threat. Immediate action was taken to collect all working parties and tools of the 29^th Company in preparation for the evacuation. No. 3 Section proceeded to Rouen by train at 1400 hours on the following day. The section did not remain there long, as orders to evacuate Rouen were received on 29 August. No. 3 Section proceeded to Le Mans on 30 August and arrived there the following day. Le Mans had been designated the Advanced Base for R.E. operations. In the meantime, steps had also been taken to evacuate the R.E. bases at Boulogne, and Havre.

The British had first landed at Boulogne on 11 August 1914. The French had prepared five camps there, capable of supporting a headquarters, No. 2 Stationary Hospital and two infantry battalions. Elements of the 29^th (Works) Company at Boulogne improved sanitary arrangements and quays during their time there. On 27 August 1914, Boulogne was evacuated and all stores removed. The headquarters and administrative staffs proceeded by sea to Havre and thence to St. Nazaire.

The 29^th (Works) Company, less No. 3 Section, arrived at Havre on 12 August 1914 and remained at that location until it was evacuated to Le Mans. While at Havre the company worked on a veterinary hospital, a remount depot, a field bakery, a hospital, post office and military prison.

Owing to the German retreat to the Aisne, it became possible to reoccupy the original bases that had previously been evacuated. About 1 October 1914 arrangements were made to reopen the previous military establishments at Rouen and Havre. From entries in the service papers of James McGregor, it appears that he was stationed at the base at Havre where the company worked on the construction of 6 reinforcement camps, a remount depot and a veterinary hospital in addition to hospital accommodation in existing buildings, adaptation of hangars and new construction for supplies and ordnance.

McGregor served with the 29^th (Works) Company until 26 March 1916 when he was attached to the 32^nd (Fortress) Company, R.E. at Havre.[22] The 32^nd Company had arrived in France on 6 March 1915 and served as part of the defence force for the port facilities at Havre. Later in the war the 32^nd (Fortress) Company was redesignated the 32^nd Base Park Company and like the 29^th Company it was employed on Lines of Communication work.

Except for the 10-day period from 22 September to 1 October 1916, when he was on leave in England, McGregor served with the 32^nd Company until 17 February 1917. During this period things were not quite as quiet for him as they had been during his time with the 29^th Company.[23] The 32^nd Company suffered five casualties during the war, but only one man died during the period that McGregor was assigned to the unit.[24] That man was 95810 Lance Corporal Alexander Forbes of Aberdeen. Forbes died at home on 14 October 1916, probably of disease or injuries received in an accident at the front.

On 17 February 1917, after being appointed an Acting Warrant Officer Class I, James McGregor was transferred to the 24^th Base Park Company, R.E. on Lines of Communication work. According to his service papers, McGregor served with the 24^th Company until about January or February of 1918 when it appears that he was temporarily attached to the 1504^th Artisan Works Company, R.E. While with this company, McGregor took leave on 21 February 1918 and returned to duty on 8 March 1918. His records show that later in the year he was again serving with the 24^th Base Park Company and remained with that unit until 30 June 1918 when he was transferred to the office of the CRE at Havre. Prior to his transfer to the CRE's office, McGregor's award of the Meritorious Service Medal was published on page 7158 in the London Gazette dated 17 June 1918. The citation for his award read as follows:[25]

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Meritorious Service Medal to the undermentioned Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Men, in recognition of valuable services rendered with the Forces in France during the present war:-

McGregor, A.Supt.Clk. (A./S./M.) J.

Service with the 24^th Base Park Company brought McGregor the closest to the front-line action as any assignment he had while in France. During the war this company suffered a total of 15 fatalities, two of which occurred in 1915, with the remaining deaths occurring in 1918. The following table lists those thirteen casualties that occurred while McGregor was assigned to the company.

Casualties of the 24^th Base Park Company, Royal Engineers in 1918

Name	Regimental Number	Rank	Cause Of Death	Date of Death
Black, George Boyd	36791	Staff Sergeant	Died	19 Oct 1918
Clark, James	93329	Corporal	DOW	2 Jun 1918
Clark, Reginald John	499918	Sapper	Died	15 Oct 1918
Crossley, Herbert	149564	Sapper	Died	20 Oct 1918
Green, Marks	236839	Pioneer	Died	23 Oct 1918
Hough, Edward	300364	Sapper	Died	30 Oct 1918
Middleton, Ernest James	277067	Sapper	Died	19 Oct 1918
Norton, Francis	236142	Sapper	Died	16 Oct 1918
Paterson, William	10080	Sergeant	KIA	27 May 1918
Poitevin, Henry Gideon	245777	Pioneer	DOW	21 May 1918
Shannon, Joseph	67470	Sergeant	Died	4 Nov 1918
Taylor, Fred	249929	Sapper	DOW	28 May 1918
Towell, S.	31250	L/Corporal	DOW	6 Jun 1918

Legend: KIA – Killed in Action; DOW – Died of Wounds; Died – of disease or accidentally killed.

The following is a statistical analysis of these deaths by various categories during the year 1918:

· Total Company Casualties from all Causes: 13.

· Deaths by Rank: Staff Sergeants (1); Sergeants (2); Corporals (1); Lance Corporals (1); Sappers (6); Pioneers (2).

· Deaths by Category: Killed in Action (1); Died of Wounds (4); Died of Disease or Accident (8).

· Deaths by Battle or Campaign: The battle-related deaths that occurred in the 24^th Base Park Company occurred during the period 21 May to 6 June 1918. This period corresponds to the Battle of the Aisne from the 27^th of May to the 6^th of June 1918. The British IX Corps was the major unit involved in this battle; hence, it seems likely that the 24^th Base Park Company was located within this Corps' sector.

· Non-Battle Related Deaths: The large number of non-battle related deaths (61.5%) occurred mostly during the month of October 1918 (7 of 8), with one occurring early in November of 1918. These deaths probably were caused by disease and most likely by the Spanish influenza epidemic.

It should also be noted that during his time with the 1504^th Artisan Works Company, this unit also suffered two losses. 9741 Mechanist Sergeant Major Charles Marshfield and 311586 Pioneer Evan Daniel Thomas both died in France, the former on 3 February 1918 and the latter on 13 May 1918.

McGregor took leave from Havre to England on 23 December 1918 and returned to duty from leave on 7 January 1919. On 7 March 1919 he declared his willingness to serve in the Army of Occupation and to forgo demobilization. His Army Form W. 5084[26] shows him serving at Havre, France as a Superintending Clerk and Draughtsman in the Establishment for Engineer Service.

On 28 May 1919 McGregor again took 15 days of leave and returned to England. On 6 June 1919 his Class II Warrant Parchment was forwarded to his wife at Northcote, Victoria Road in Fleet, Hampshire by the R.E. Record Office. On 14 June 1919 he was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal by the Chief Engineer, Aldershot Command. If this presentation occurred while he was on leave from France, his leave must have been extended to allow him to remain in England for the ceremony. There is no record in his service papers that this extension of leave occurred.[27]

McGregor's service papers show that on 23 October 1919 he was employed in the office of the CRE Calais. McGregor continued to serve in France after the war when on 9 March 1920 the War Office decided that he should be discharged. The following letter dated 9 March 1920 was written to the Chief Engineer, G.H.Q. France by the OIC R.E. Records:

26684 E.C. Q.M.S. J. McGREGOR

The following decision has been received from the Secretary, War Office:-

It is not proposed to recommend the retention in the service beyond 21 years after attaining 18 years of age, of any Warrant Officer (Class II) and N.C. Officers of the Establishment for Engineer Services.

Para. 5 of Army Order 8/1920 is not applicable to soldiers serving on normal engagements and no man who is over 40 years of age can extend under that order.

Q.M.S. McGREGOR'S engagement expired on the 6^th inst. He should be discharged.

Home Service (1920)

As a result of the War Office decision, McGregor returned to England on 14 March 1920 and began processing for his discharge from the Army. He signed his "Statement as to Disability" on 17 March 1920 claiming no disability as a result of his military service. His "Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity" was issued to him on 20 March 1920 at the Purfleet, Essex Dispersal Office. The certificate indicated his rank to be Superintending Clerk with the Establishment for Engineer Services, R.E. His record office was shown as Chatham and his address for pay was listed as Northcote, Victoria Road, Fleet, Hampshire. The certificate further indicated that he had served in France, his medical category was "A",[28] and that his place of rejoining the Army in case of emergency would be at Aldershot.

James McGregor was discharged from the Army on 16 April 1920. For his service during the Great War he was awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal in addition to the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (EVII) and the Meritorious Service Medal (GVR).

6. PROMOTIONS AND CONDUCT

Promotions

James McGregor received the following promotions during his time in service:

Date of Promotion or Appointment	Rank or Position
21 May 1892	Boy Soldier upon enlistment in the Army
1 July 1893	Appointed Bugler
21 May 1896	Posted to the ranks as a Sapper
5 August 1902	Appointed Lance Corporal
16 March 1907	Promoted Engineer Clerk Sergeant, E.E.S.
16 March 1910	Promoted Engineer Clerk Staff Sergeant, E.E.S.
12 March 1913	Appointed Engineer Clerk Quartermaster Sergeant, E.E.S.
16 March 1913	Promoted Engineer Clerk Quartermaster Sergeant and Draughtsman (Warrant Officer Class II), E.E.S. (highest substantive rank)
17 February 1917	Appointed Acting Superintending Clerk and Draughtsman (Warrant Officer Class I), E.E.S. (highest acting rank)
2 May 1917	Promoted Temporary Warrant Officer Class I (Temporary Superintending Clerk and Draughtsman), E.E.S. (highest temporary and latest rank held)

Conduct

James McGregor should have been entitled to at least one Good Conduct Badge and possibly two prior to his promotion to the non-commissioned officer ranks.[29] Unfortunately, the Statement of Services in his military records is so water damaged, that many of the entries are illegible; therefore, his exact entitlements are unknown.

McGregor completed 18 years of service on 20 May 1910 and became eligible for the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. The medal was authorized to him by Army Order 254 of 1910.[30]

7. EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education

James McGregor earned the following Certificates of Education during his time in service:[31]

Date[32]	Certificate of Education
1893	Awarded a 3^rd Class Certificate of Education.
1895	Awarded a 2^nd Class Certificate of Education.
October 1901	Awarded a 1^st Class Certificate of Education.

Qualifications

James McGregor earned the following qualifications during his time in service.

Date	Qualification
28 May 1896	Received a Certificate of Trade Proficiency as a "Fair" Draughtsman from the Ordnance Survey Office, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
7 March 1897	Qualified as a "Fair" Draughtsman by the Commandant, School of Military Engineering.
16 October 1897	Qualified as a "Skilled" Draughtsman by the Commander Royal Engineers, Aldershot.
16 March 1916	Authorized a Service Pay increase to 5s/6d per day.^(*)

(*) Service Pay, in addition to their regular pay, was granted to men in the Royal Engineers who demonstrated proficiency in their military trades. Service Pay was awarded in seven classes, with Class I being the highest.

8. MEDICAL INFORMATION

The following medical information was taken from James McGregor's service records during his time in the Army:

Location	Date of Admission	Ailment	Period of Hospitalization or Treatment
London	21 May 1892	Medical examination	Found fit for service in the Army.
Malta	16 May 1904	Medical examination	Found fit to re-engage to complete 21 years of service.
Havre, France	17 April 1916	Unspecified in service papers	Admitted to No. 6 Station Hospital. Discharged on 24 April 1916.

9. MARRIAGE AND PERSONAL INFORMATION

At the time of his enlistment in the Army, James McGregor listed his mother Helen as his next of kin. He gave two addresses for her; Glass Street in Edinburgh and 19 Portland Place in Leith. At one point, prior to his marriage, his also listed his brother Robert as his next-of-kin. From these facts it may be assumed that his father died shortly after he enlisted and that his mother died at some time while he was serving.

Staff Sergeant James McGregor was employed in the office of the CRE South Aldershot when he married Katherine Amelia Turner, a spinster, on 29 July 1912.[33] The marriage took place in Holy Trinity Church in Eridge Green, Sussex, a town located about three miles southwest of Royal Tunbridge Wells. The marriage ceremony was performed by Reverend John Brabazon and was witnessed by one Sergeant Gallagher, R.E. and a Mr. Sidney Maling. As a relatively senior non-commissioned officer, it may be assumed that McGregor was married with leave from his commanding officer and that his wife was immediately entered on the married rolls.

Mrs. McGregor gave birth to a daughter, Linda Joan St. Clair McGregor, at Aldershot on 22 June 1913. Linda was baptized at Elridge Green on 24 August 1913 by Reverend H. Arnold.

10. DISCHARGE

James McGregor was discharged from the Army at Chatham, Kent on the termination of his second period of limited engagement. His total service towards his second engagement was 16 years and 20 days. His total military service was reckoned as shown in the tables below:

Location	Period of Service
Home	21 May 1892 to 19 December 1897
Egypt	20 December 1897 to 2 April 1902
Malta	3 April 1902 to 11 April 1905
Home	12 April 1905 to 29 November 1907
Jamaica	30 November 1907 to 9 January 1911
Home	10 January 1911 to 13 October 1914
France	14 October 1914 to 13 March 1920
Home	14 March 1920 to 16 April 1920

Location	Period of Service
Home Service	11 years and 290 days
Service Abroad	14 years and 140 days
Total Service^(*)	26 years and 65 days

(*) Total service including time as a Boy Soldier was actually 27 years and 32 days, all of which counted towards his pension.

At the time of his discharge, McGregor's military character was noted to be "Exemplary" by his commanding officer. McGregor indicated that his intended residence after leaving the service would be Northcote, Victoria Road, Fleet, Hampshire.

11. MEDALS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

For his more than 21 years of service, including his service in the Great War of 1914-1918, Quartermaster Sergeant John McGregor was awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (EVIIR) and the Meritorious Service Medal (GVR) as shown from left to right in Figure 5 below.

Figure 5. The Medals of James St. Clair McGregor.

(Photograph from the author’s collection.

The medals are named to McGregor in impressed upper case letters as follows;

1914 Star

26684

Q.M.S.I. J.M^CGREGOR.

R.E.

British War Medal Star

26884 W.O.CL. 1 J.MC GREGOR. R.E.

Victory Medal Star

26884 W.O.CL. 1 J.MC GREGOR. R.E.

Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

26684 S.SJT. J.M^CGREGOR. R.E.

Meritorious Service Medal

26684 A.SUPT.CLK-A.S.MJR.-J. M^CGREGOR. E.E.S. R.E.

It should be noted that his Meritorious Service Medal is named to him as an Acting Superintending Clerk-Acting Sergeant Major and the E.E.S. for Establishment for Engineer Services also is included.

12. POST SERVICE LIFE

On 13 May 1920 McGregor's records were received at the Royal Hospital Chelsea with a notation indicating that his pension commenced on 17 April 1920. On 2 April 1921 McGregor sent a letter from his home in Fleet to the R.E. Record Office at Chatham requesting that he be sent his medals earned during the Great War. He was issued the British War Medal and Victory Medal on 4 May 1922. His records do not show when he received the 1914 Star.[34]

James McGregor prepared a will in 1941. In this document his name is shown as James St. Clair McGregor. The name St. Clair first appeared in connection with the naming of his daughter in 1913, but the name does not appear on any of McGregor's military service documents. At the time of preparation of the will, the McGregors lived on Waylands Moore Road in Crookham, Hampshire. In the will McGregor appointed his wife Katherine Amelia McGregor as his Executrix and stipulated that in the event his wife predeceased him, then his daughter Linda Joan St. Clair McGregor would be appointed his Executrix.

James McGregor died on 12 August 1970 at St. Richards Hospital in Chichester, West Sussex at the age of 92 years.[35]^,[36] His death certificate gives his name as James St. Clair McGregor and shows his date of birth as 5 May 1878 rather than 20 May as shown in his military service papers. His occupation is listed as Architect (retired)[37] and his address is shown as Greenbank, Fordwater Road in Chichester.

The causes of death listed for McGregor on the certificate included 1a) Bronchopneumonia, 1b) Senility and 2) Ischemic colitis.[38] His death was certified by M. Monk, MRCS[39] and was registered by H.F. Ricketts, Registrar for the District of Chichester, West Sussex on 13 August 1970. McGregor's daughter Linda was the informant of his death.

James McGregor's daughter had married after the preparation of the will in 1941 and was Linda Joan St. Clair Jervis at the time of her father's death. Katherine McGregor had predeceased James, so Linda was appointed the Executrix of James's will on 21 September 1970. The will was probated on that date in Winchester with Linda the sole beneficiary of James McGregor's estate. Linda's address on the probate document is shown as Greenbank, Fordwater Road, Chichester. Apparently James had been living with Linda and her husband up until the time of his death.

REFERENCES

Books

1. BAKER BROWN, W. The History of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Volume IV. The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, 1952.

2. COCKERILL, A.W. Sons of the Brave: The Story of Boy Soldiers. Leo Cooper, London, 1984.

3. FARWELL, B. Mr. Kipling’s Army: All the Queen’s Men. W.W. Norton & Company, New York, 1981.

4. GRIERSON, J.M. Scarlet Into Khaki: The British Army on the Eve of the Boer War. Greenhill Books, London, 1988.

5. INSTITUTION OF ROYAL ENGINEERS. The History of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Volume V. The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, 1952.

6. INSTITUTION OF ROYAL ENGINEERS. The Work of the Royal Engineers in the European War, 1914-1919: Work Under the Director of Works (France). The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, 1924.

7. LETTS, C. Roadbook of Britain. Charles Letts and Company Limited, London, 1977.

8. McINNES, I. The Meritorious Service Medal: The Immediate Awards, 1916-1928. The Naval and Military Press and Liverpool Medal Co. Ltd., 1992.

9. MERRIAM WEBSTER. Geographical Dictionary, Springfield, MA, 1997.

10. SKELLEY, A.R. The Victorian Army at Home: The Recruitment and Terms and Conditions of the British Regular, 1859-1899. McGill-Queen’s University Press, Montreal, 1977.

Computer Software

Soldiers Died in the Great War. The Naval & Military Press Ltd., Heathfield, East Sussex, 1998.

Documents

1. The service papers of James McGregor consisting of the following documents:

a. Long Service Attestation.
b. Description on Enlistment.
c. Statement of Services.
d. Military History Sheet.
e. Certificate of Trade Proficiency.
f. Trade and Special Qualifications.
g. Re-Engagement Paper.
h. National Insurance Act, 1911.
i. Letter dated 15 July 1913 from the War Office to R.E. Record Office.
j. Request for Continuance in Service.
k. Marriage, Births and Baptisms (Army Form A. 22).
l. Confidential Report on Warrant and Non-Commissioned Officer.
m. Employment Sheet.
n. Telegram dated 12 October 1914 from R.E. Record Office to Commandant, Aldershot.
o. Casualty Form - Active Service.
p. Demobilization Certificate.
q. Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity.
r. Letter dated 2 April 1921 from J. McGregor to R.E. Record Office.
s. Receipt for Medals.
t. Statement as to Disability.
u. Letter dated 9 March 1920 from R.E. Record Office to Chief Engineer, GHQ France.
v. Army Orders 254 - October 1910, page 34.
w. Medal Index Card.

2. The Will of James St. Clair McGregor dated 9-?-1941.

3. Probate Register of the Will of James St. Clair McGregor dated 21 September 1970.

4. Certified Copy of an Entry of Death, QBDX 304499, General Register Office, London, 7 May 2004.

Periodicals

1. London Gazette, 17 June 1918.

2. Monthly Army List, April 1903.

3. Royal Engineers List, January 1908.

4. Royal Engineers List, August 1912.

5. The Sapper, November 1970.

Research Papers

LARIMORE, F. Rules for Awarding Good Conduct Badges, Philadelphia, 2003.

2. EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY INFORMATION

Name

· Total Company Casualties from all Causes: 13.

· Deaths by Category: Killed in Action (1); Died of Wounds (4); Died of Disease or Accident (8).

· Non-Battle Related Deaths: The large number of non-battle related deaths (61.5%) occurred mostly during the month of October 1918 (7 of 8), with one occurring early in November of 1918. These deaths probably were caused by disease and most likely by the Spanish influenza epidemic.

26684 E.C. Q.M.S. J. McGREGOR

Date of Promotion or Appointment

Date[32]

Date

Location

Location

Location

Total Service(*)

ENDNOTES

Total Service^(*)