Background
Wilson, Alexander was born on October 27, 1858.
Wilson, Alexander was born on October 27, 1858.
Major-General Sir Alexander Wilson Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (1858–1937) was a senior British army officer, Colonel of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and Lieutenant Governor of Jersey between the years 1916 and 1920. Educated at Lancing College, Wilson was gazetted into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1879 and served with the regiment through the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 before being appointed Commandant of Colonial Forces, Western Australia in 1895. Wilson returned from Australia to fight with his regiment during the Second Boer War and was appointed commander of the 1st Battalion after the Battle of Magersfontein in 1899.
He served under Sir John Maxwell in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign (World War I) as General Officer Commanding Indian Expeditionary Force East, Canal Defences and was mentioned in dispatches whilst commanding the Suez Canal defences against the Turkish attack through 1915-1916.
He was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath at around this time. In later life he became Colonel of the Regiment (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) and was made Lieutenant Governor of Jersey.
Spouse 1882, Jane Leith-Hay, 2nddaughter of late Robert Graham of Fintray. Served Zulu War, 1879 (medal with clasp).