Serjeant Major, No 389 Angus Whyte 174

Angus Whyte and his twin sister Catherine Cameron were born on 3rd May 1874, their father, Robert, born 30 May 1838 and their mother, Ann, Nee McKenzie, born 10 July 1841.  He enlisted into the 9th Lancers at Fort William. A carpenter on enlistment, he had previous military service with the 1 Volunteer Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.

On the 11th September 1895, Angus Whyte transferred into the Military Mounted Police (MMP) from the 4th Dragoon Guards.

Angus was soon stationed at Aldershot, he was part of the small contingent of Military Policemen at the 1897 Diamond Jubilee celebrations. On 14th October 1899, Angus departed from Southampton with the first draft of Military Police to South Africa, for service in the 2nd Anglo-Boer War.

He arrived at Cape Town on 31st October 1899. Angus returned from South Africa in November 1900 and was entitled to the Queen’s South Africa Medal with Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Belfast clasps.

In January 1903, Angus was promoted to Corporal and extended his service to “21 years with the colours”.

Angus was once again policing Aldershot, where he was commended by the Superintendent, Surrey Constabulary after he assisted “PC Budgen in arresting a violent prisoner”. In September 1903 he took part in the large-scale Military Manoeuvres, “riding horse No 6”.

In November 1904, he was posted to Egypt, and was promoted to Serjeant on route. Whilst in Egypt his wife gave birth to his 5th child and he was commended for his services in Suez.

In October 1911, now a Squadron-Serjeant Major, Angus was appointed the Quarter Master Serjeant and “Officer IC of Records Military Police”. He returned to the UK in January 1912, and was soon promoted to Serjeant-Major, extending his service “beyond 21 years” by another 5 years.

In August 1914, he was once again ordered to Southampton Docks to proceed overseas with the first draft of Military Police, this time to France with the British Expeditionary Force.

On 26th December 1914 he was discharged from the Army under King’s Regulation 392 (Paragraph 23), claiming discharge after 3 months’ notice.

On the 1st January 1915 after leaving the Army he was appointed a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London, replacing Francis Freeman (129), he retired 23rd October 1914 after 24 years, he was then replaced by Charles Price (212).

Angus maintained very strong links with the Military Police, as a regular contributor to the Journal (with failing eyesight he would insist these were read to him cover to cover) and a chairman of the progenitor of the RMPA: the Old Comrades’ Association (OCA) which had been set up originally in 1913 .

During the 2nd World War his children would read him the glowing exploits of the Military Police, to which he would reply; “Well, what else do you expect from such a grand Corps?”.

Angus passed away at the age of 85, on 15th December 1959, the oldest member of the RMPA.

His medals, which are on display in the Royal Military Police Museum:

  1. Queens South Africa Medal clasp
    1. Cape Colony
    2. Belfast
    3. Relief of Lady Smith
    4. Tugela Heights
  2. 1914-18 Star
  3. Victory Medal 1914-18
  4. British War Medal
  5. Meritorious Service Medal
  6. Long Service & Good Conduct

He married Eliza nee Chilton on 7 October 1896 in Ash, Surrey. They had six children during their marriage.

  1. Robert Angus born 17th January 1898, in Hampshire, he married a Emily nee Fay in 1920 in Bromley, Kent they had 2 children. He died in 1970 in the Isle of Wight aged 72.
  2. Arthur Redvers born 14 May 1900 in Ash, Surrey. He died 24 September 1980 in Hove, East Sussex aged 80.
  3. John Edward born 14 January 1902 in Ash, Surrey. He died 1983 in Blackpool, Lancashire aged 81.
  4. Lilan Kathrine born 15 February 1906 in Aldershot. She died in 1999 in Huntingdon, Huntingdonshire aged 94.
  5. Charles McKenzie born 1 January 1906 in Aldershot. He died 31 March 1992 in Huntingdon, Huntingdonshire aged 86.
  6. Frederick William born 26 August 1907 in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Died 13 January 1940 in Pakistan aged 32. He was a Sergeant in 27 Squadron Royal Airforce based in Pakistan, and was killed in action, and buried 4. A. 4. Karachi War Cemetery, Pakistan

He died on 15 December 1959 in Bromley, Kent, at the age of 85.