scottish military records.

[nora Hepburn]

Hello everyone,
I wonder if any of you knowledgeable people could possibly help me? I have not a lot to go on, but here goes. My grandfather, Hugh Hepburn, born 1868 in Aberdeen, was, according to my dad , 22 years in the Army.Which regiment, I don't know, but I know he was a pipe major, and did retire from the service and was presented with a silver stand of pipes, presumably on his retirement.
I think, I remember my dad telling me that his father was in the Boar war, but I am not sure if he was still in the service after that. He is absent in the 1891 and 1901 census, so that may tie in with him being away in the army. I remember seeing a photo of him around 1920-30 with a chest full of medals, he was in civvies, in a pipe band. I can only find 2 Hugh Hepburns in my search, both privates, so I know they can't be him, as 22 years, I would assume he would have reached a higher rank? That is all I have to go on. This is a puzzle that, if I could find the answer to, most things would fall into place. Please, if anyone could help me, I would be very appreciative. I seem to have hit a brick wall with this, and I don't know how to go about resolving it.
kind regards,
Nora.

[atom12]

Hi Nora


By no means certain, but just to let you know - if you were not already aware - that the Gordons was the Regimental recruiting  area for your grandfather.  This does not determine that he did in fact serve with the Gordon Highlanders.

After a fleeting look at the MICs on Ancestry, there is a Hugh Hepburn that served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers and there is also a George H Hepburn that served with the Gordon Highlanders.  You'd have to find out if he did have another name to be sure of this one, however!

Is there nothing written on his Pipes to go on?  For instance presented by 'such and such' Battalion! Or, do you have any WW1 medals to refer to, as their regiment and number could be inscribed on the rim.

Might need to have another look tomorrow, as it is late now, or someone else might get back to you.

[nora Hepburn]

Atom 12.
Thanks for that, at least that would be a starting point, the Gordon Highlanders, could be possible! No I don't have any other info, just what my dad told me about my grandfather. However,george was my fathers middle name, and if his father was george H Hepburn, perhaps the "H" was hugh and he used that as a christian name? Possible!
What did you find out about this george H Hepburn? It would be interesting to know.
Thanks once again for your help, it's invaluable!
kind regards,
nora.

[atom12]

Hi Nora

The George H Hepburn  I referred to earlier was a Private soldier with the Gordons.  The only other soldiers named Hepburn with a suitable rank of Sergeant that I came across did not have the first name of Hugh.

It might however, be a possibility that your grandfather did not serve in WW1, or if he did, that he did not go abroad, thus would not be entitled to the overseas medals awarded.  Assuming that your grandfather joined as a young man he could have completed his 22 years service by 1908 - 1910 or thereabouts.

Therefore, it looks like your best chance of finding out about his army service would be a visit to The National Archives at Kew, or hire a researcher - a few of which you can find on this site for a reasonable cost.

Here's a few websites to peruse meantime:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory/army/

http://www.gordonhighlanders.com/family/

Remember, there is no guarantee that he served with the Gordons, but you never know they might prove to be of some help.   

Anne

[nora Hepburn]

Hi Anne,
Thanks for those useful sugestions, I think I'm almost sure now, that his 22 years were completed before the first world war, as everything is pointing toward it. You see, he had to come back from a campaine to claim the child in 1904 (my dad) as he had him out of the marriage.
Someone mentioned to me (in the family) it could have been India or Burma.
 But I'm not sure what campaines were going on in 1904
regards,
Nora.

[nora Hepburn]

Hello all,
I have just found out that my Grandfather Hugh Hepburn was in the 51st Highland Infantry, he was a pipe major, and I think this regiment had headquarters in Glasgow.Can anyone help me find his records, I think he was in the Boar War.
Many thanks,
nora.

[km1971]

Hi Nora

There was no such regiment as the 51st Highland Infantry. The 71st Regiment were the Highland Light Infantry based in Hamilton. Can you check your source of the information.

If his records survive they will be in alphabetical order in Series WO97 in Kew, so you do not need to know his regiment. However you will have to visit or employ a researcher as they are original documents. You should follow the first link provided by Anne.

If you can find the correct regiment someone may have a copy of their Boer War medal roll. I have checked the roll for the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) but he is not listed.

Ken

[nora Hepburn]

Hello Ken,
Many thanks for your reply,This information was given to me by my elder brother of what he could remember, so I'm not sure how acurate it is.I have spent most of the afternoon trying to find info on this regiment, and they did exist before they were split up around the ww1. My grandfather, I think served before they were split into 3 regiments.If anybody has any info on this, I would like to know.Thank you once again for your contribution, he will remain a mistery for the moment.
kind regards,
nora.

[atom12]

Nora

Just spotted the recent posts, Ken is right there was never a 51st Highland Infantry.  There was however, The Highland Light Infantry which recruited mainly from the Glasgow area and Lanark. 

There was a 51st Highland Division which consisted of various Scottish Regiments (and for a short period 4 Northern English Regiments).  Noteworthy however, the Highland Light Infantry did not make up part of the 51st Highland Division.   The 51st Highland Division was made up of 3 Brigades, and the Regiments serving with them varied depending on the date.   

Hope something crops up for you Nora.  If not, The National Archives at Kew is really your best bet if you don't have any clue as to his Regiment, or have a photo to post to us, or even a medal that might reveal his regimental number.