LOCHHEAD, Alexander Colours Sergeant Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

   Cause of his death was gunshot wound of right side of head.

   Other names for Alexander were LOCHHEAD, Alex, LOCHHEAD, Alexander John Colour Sergeant 1st Batt Argyll & Suth Highlanders and LOCHHEAD, Alexr.

  General Notes:

The 1871 Census for Abbey parish, Paisley, recorded John Lochhead as the head of a household living at Station Lodge, Johnstone. Including himself there were eight persons in the household: John, his wife, Margaret, their three sons and two daughters, and Margaret's mother Margaret Barbour. Alexander was the second son, third child, who was born in Paisley. He was 5 years old and a scholar.

In the 1881 census for Kilbarchan Alexander was recorded as 14 years old and working as a grocer's assistant.

In his death certificate of 1896 Alexander Lochhead was recorded as a Colour Sergeant of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and married to Margaret Hadden or Richards. His age was noted as 31 years. Both of his parents were deceased.

Alexander was the second husband of Margaret Haddow according to her death certificate in 1954. He was there recorded as a colours sergeant with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was never wounded, never fought in any campaigns and received no medals or decorations.

  Research Notes:

THANKS

I am indebted and grateful to JSR Gray for sharing with Patrick's People website the information gained in his research on Alexander Lochhead and other members of his family.

  Medical Notes:

J.C.B. Statham Surgeon Lieutenant A. M. S. certified the cause of death.

P. Wynne Cr Sergeant Ar & S, Hrs Bks Maryhill gave notice of his death before the registrar on 18 November 1896.

In the Register of Corrected Entries can be found the result of a praecognition touching the death of Alexander Lochhead, ordered by the Procurator Fiscal. In this the cause of death was noted as "Rifle Shot wound of Head (suicide) certified by Doctor Alexander Hay Maryhill and J.C.B. Statham Surgeon Lieutenant Maryhill Barracks". This was given at Glasgow 29 November 1896 and signed by the Procurator Fiscal Geo. Brander.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Joined: Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 5 March 1884, Glasgow, Scotland. Alexander's number was 1233 and by trade he was an engineer. he had previously joined the same regiment and had purchased his discharge in October 1883.

Height: 5ft 5 3/4in
Weight: 125lbs
Chest Measurement: 34in
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Brown
Religious denomination: Presbyterian
No distinguishing marks

He was passed fit for the army at a medical inspection on 4th March 1884 at Glasgow.

2. Served as soldier, from 5 March 1884 until 20 November 1885, Home Country Ie Gb.

3. Appointed: Lance Corporal, 20 June 1884.

4. Promoted: Corporal, 24 September 1884.

5. Served as soldier, From 21 November 1885 until 5 December 1888, Ceylon.

6. Promoted: Sergeant, 17 November 1886.

7. Served as soldier, From 6 December 1888 until 23 March 1892, Hong Kong.

8. Served as soldier, From 24 March 1892 until 16 November 1896, Home Country.

9. Promoted: Colour Sergeant, 29 March 1892.

10. Awarded: Hythe School of Musketry Certificate, 16 July 1892.

11. Reverted: to Sergeant, 18 January 1893. This was at his own request.

12. Awarded: school of range finding certificate, 17 May 1895.

13. Re-engaged: to complete 21 years with the colours, 29 July 1895.

14. Promoted: to Colour Sergeant, 16 January 1896.

Alexander married Margaret NISBET, daughter of William NISBET and Isabella SANDILANDS, on 25 November 1892 in No. 14 George Ivth Bridge, Edinburgh, Scotland. (Margaret NISBET was born on 27 December 1857 in 57 Old Physic Gardens, Edinburgh, Scotland ¹ and died 25 May 1954 at 8.55 am in 3 Oswald Road, Edinburgh, Scotland.). The cause of her death was myocardial degeneration with arteriosclerosis.

  Marriage Notes:

The marriage was celebrated according to the forms of the Church of Scotland. The minister was George Kirkwood, Chaplain to the Forces. Henry Robertson Keills and Robina Smith were witnesses.

Alex Lochhead was a colour sergeant with the Argyle [sic] and Sutherland Highlanders. He was a bachelor of 26 years of age and lived at Edinburgh Castle. His father was deceased.

Margaret Hadden or Richards was the widow of Harry Richards, a private in the Argyle [sic] and Sutherland Highlanders. She was recorded as 27 years old and lived at NO. 19 St John Street Edinburgh. Her parents were deceased, her father being recorded as Robert Hadden her mother's husband.

The marriage was recorded at Edinburgh on 28 November 1892.