Background
IRVINE, James Laird was born on September 5, 1858. S of late George Irvine, Mossley Hill, Liverpool.
IRVINE, James Laird was born on September 5, 1858. S of late George Irvine, Mossley Hill, Liverpool.
Royal Marines Academy,Woolwich.
Entered R. Engineers, 187S. Captain 1888; Major, 1896. Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel 1900.
Lieutenant-Colonel 1903. Colonel, 1905; employed on Ordnance Survey, 1888-1891. Adjutant R.E. Troops, Aldershot, 1891-1895.
Commanding A (Pontoon) Troop, Bridging Battalion, 1895-1902. C.R.E. in Egypt, 1903-1904. Commanding R.E Troops and Cos., Aldershot, 1904-1908.
Assistant Adjutant-General at the War Office, 190S-10. Served with A Pontoon Troop during Egyptian Expedition, 1882. Present at battle of Tel-el-Kebir (medal with clasp and bronze star).
Commanded A Pontoon Troop during the South African War, 1899 -1902. Present at Relief of Ladysmith and at actions at Colenso, Spion Kop, Vaalkrantz, Tugela Heights, and Laing’s Nek. C.R.E. Standerton District, 1900-1902 (despatches thrice.
Queen’s medal with six clasps. King’s medal with two clasps. Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel). Colonel, Royal Engineers; Commandant, School of Military Engineering, Chatham, since 1910.
Club: Naval and Military.
Spouse 1887, Dora Louisa, daughter of Lt. - Gen. Sir Thomas L. Gallwey, K.C.M.G., Col. Commandant, Royal Engineers.