2045. Pte. D. McGREGOR. 1-24th FOOT

"David McGregor was born in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland and signed his Attestation for Militia Volunteers, joining the Northumberland Light Infantry Militia at Newcastle-on-Tyne, on October 6, 1877, stating that he had no previous military service and that he was single, serving until the following March. McGregor then signed his Attestation Paper on March 11, 1878 with the 46th Brigade, 50th Regiment of Infantry, at Colchester, at the age of 19 years, 6 months, stating that he has received a Notice and understood its contents, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Mason (#806). He was transferred to the 25th Brigade on February 21, 1879 (#2045), seeing action in the South African campaign with the 24th Regiment of Foot during the Zulu Wars. He returned to England in October 1879 and was transferred to the 46th Brigade, 50th Regiment on January 31, 1880 (#2028). He was in the Egyptian theatre from August 1882 to June 1884. It was here that he was confined for two days, November 5th - 6th, 1883, then tried and convicted of "Breaking out of Barracks" and incarcerated from November 7th - December 11th. Upon his return to England, he was transferred to the 1st Class Army Reserve on June 12, 1884, where he was to finish his military service on April 17, 1890. It was noted that his character on being passed to the Reserve was "Bad". Once in the Reserve, McGregor married Thirza Dennis on June 23, 1884 at Colchester, Essex. He accumulated twelve years' service, including: Home (March 12, 1878 - February 28, 1879), South Africa (March 1, 1879 - October 2, 1879), Home (October 3, 1879 - August 2, 1882), Egypt (August 3, 1882 - June 3, 1884) and Home (June 4, 1884 - April 17, 1890). His two stints abroad earned him the South Africa Medal with the 1879 Clasp, the Egypt Medal and the Khedive's Star, the latter two of which are not included here. (McGregor was not present at Rorkes Drift)[i]