Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

‘His devotion to the Regiment surpassed anything I have ever known. The Regiment was to him the beginning and end of all things; and I well remember once discussing with him his future prospects and intentions as his time for retirement was drawing near. He sat silent for a few moments, and then in slow measured tones remarked: “They may turn me away officially, but I will never leave the Regiment.” The remark was so typical of the man and so thoroughly characteristic of his life’s devotion. He had his wish - he never left the Regiment.’

From Captain (Q.M.) Alexander Stevens’ obituary notice in The Highland Infantry Chronicle.

A fine Boer War D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Captain (Q.M.) A. Stevens, Highland Light Infantry, who was mentioned in despatches for his gallant conduct in rallying his men at Magersfontein, and who died on active service in Mesopotamia in April 1917

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (Serjt.-Maj. A. Stevens, Highland L.I.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Modder River, Wittebergen (2538 Sjt.-Mjr. A. Stevens, 1/High. L.I.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lt. & Qr. A. Stevens, High. L.I.); 1914-15 Star (Q.M. & Capt. A. Stevens, High. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Q.M. & Capt. A. Stevens); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2538 Serjt.-Maj. A. Stevens, 1st Highland L.I.); Delhi Durbar 1911, minor contact marks, generally very fine or better (8) £1800-2200

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

Alexander Stevens was born in Inverness in March 1862 and enlisted in the old 71st in 1879, ‘and served continuously with the Regiment to the day of his death.’

Embarked for South Africa with 1st Battalion on the advent of the Boer War, he most likely won his D.C.M. ‘for rallying men’ in the action at Magersfontein on 10-11 December 1899 (Robert’s despatch, dated 17 February 1900 and the London Gazette 16 March 1900, refer). On that occasion, the Battalion suffered casualties of two officers and 12 men killed, and seven officers and 73 men wounded - and Corporal J. Shaul, one of the unit’s stretcher bearers, won the Victoria Cross.

Also present at Modder River and Wittebergen (Queen’s Medal & 2 clasps; King’s Medal & 2 clasps), he won a second “mention” (London Gazette 10 September 1901, refers), and was commissioned as a Lieutenant (Q.M.) in August 1903.

Having then added the Delhi Durbar Medal to his accolades in 1911 (regimental roll refers), he was advanced to Captain (Q.M.) in August 1913, and went out to France with the 1st Battalion in 1915. He subsequently served in Egypt and Mesopotamia, and it was in the latter theatre of war that he died of disease on 10 April 1917, aged 55 years. He is commemorated on the Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial; sold with a file of research.