Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Edward VII Boxer Rebellion D.S.O. group of seven awarded to Commander Alexander Rowand, Royal Navy, late Royal Indian Marine
Distinguished Service Order, E.VII.R., minor enamel chips to central wreaths and flaking to one reverse arm; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (Lieut., Rl. Ind. Mar.); China 1900, no clasp (Lieut., R.I.M.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (Lieut. in Comd., D.S.O., R.I.M.S. Dalhousie); 1914 Star (Commdr., D.S.O., R.N., Transport Staff); British War and Victory Medals (Commr., R.N.) generally good very fine and a rare group (7)

Alexander Rowand was born on 22 August 1868, son of the late Alexander Rowand of Glasgow. He was educated at Stubbington House, Fareham, trained on board H.M.S. Worcester, and served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Shaw, Saville & Albion Co. Ltd. He joined the Royal Indian Marine in March 1899 and served in South Africa 1899-1900, as Assistant Marine Transport Officer on the Naval Transport Staff in Natal for which he was mentioned in despatches. He served in China 1900-02, for which he was again mentioned in despatches and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 26 June 1903): “In recognition of services during the occupation of China by International Troops.” He next served in Somaliland 1902-04, as Lieutenant in Command of R.I.M.S. Dalhousie. Rowand retired from the Royal Indian Marine on 25 May 1909, having been promoted to Commander the previous year.

He took part in the European War from 1914 to June 1919, as Temporary Commander, Royal Navy, including service with the Expeditionary Force in France, with the Transport Staff at Marseilles. He was mentioned in despatches by Lord French London Gazette 1 January 1916.

One of two D.S.O.’s awarded to the Royal Indian Marine for China, from a total of 25 awards for that campaign.