Montagu Grant Wilkinson

Montagu Grant Wilkinson CB CMG MVO (1857–1943) was a soldier, who served in Africa during the Mahdist War and Second Boer War, and on the Western Front as Commander of the 15th (Scottish) Division during World War One. He later served as a Gentleman Usher to King George V until 1927, then an Extra Gentleman Usher to George V, King Edward VII and King George VI.

Early life Born in Bombay on 13 March 1857., the son of Montagu C. Wilkinson D.L, and educated at Harrow and the Royal Military College. Whilst at Harrow Wilkinson played cricket for the school,

Early military service

After being gazetted as a Second Lieutenant on 30 January 1878 into the 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, Wilkinson was gazetted as a Lieutenant on 17 April 1879 and appointed a probationer for the Indian Staff Corps.

After taking part in the Nile Expedition of 1884-85 as Transport Officer where his service earned the Khedive's Star, Whilst a Major in 1899, Wilkinson reported, and was then called to give evidence at the subsequent court case, involving an incident of cruelty to a horse. Wilkinson was praised as "doing a great public service" after the resulting conviction

Second Boer War service

Remaining with the regiment, Wilkinson served as Assistant Provost marshal on the staff of General Thomas Kelly-Kenny in the Second Boer War and was involved in the Relief of Kimberley, the Battle of Paardeberg, the Battle of Poplar Grove and the Battle of Driefontein , before commanding the 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers in Transvaal during April and May 1902. During this time he also served as District Inspector of Musketry in Scotland, the Home District and on Salisbury Plain. The Division landed in France in July 1915, with Wilkinson leading the 44th Brigade in the Battle of Loos. and invalided back to England on 21 April 1916. and served with the Home Counties Reserve Brigade. He would later contribute an essay on the history of the King's Own Scottish Borderers to a book written by Sir Herbert Maxwell, 7th Baronet, published in 1918 and was gazetted as President of the Area Quartering Committee

Royal service

Having risen further to Brigadier-general Wilkinson was appointed as a Gentleman Usher to the King on 1 April 1919, He held this role under the reign of King Edward VIII and King George VI.

Honours

Wilkinson was appointed CMG in the 1919 Birthday Honours of King George V, and later appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in the 1927 Birthday Honours list.

Death

Wilkinson died at the age of 86 in Bracknell, Berkshire on 28 November 1943.