Quick Facts
Biography
Major-General Alexander Anderson McHardy, CMG, DSO (Chinese: 麥夏德; 9 November 1868 – 11 November 1958) was a British Army officer and Scout.
Career
McHardy was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alexander Burness McHardy and Elsie Norrie Anderson. He was married to Lilian Amy McHardy in 1904.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on 17 February 1888, and promoted to lieutenant on 17 February 1891. Serving in the campaign on the North West Frontier of India in 1897–98, he was with the Malakand Field Force and was present in the engagement at Landakai and in the operations in Bajaur and in the Mamund Country; then with the Buner Field Force including the capture of the Tanga pass; for which he received the medal with clasp. Promotion to captain followed on 17 August 1898. He served in the Second Boer War in South Africa 1899–1900 as a Divisional Signalling Officer 5th Infantry Division, and was later appointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant General for intelligence for South Africa. He was mentioned in despatches (including the final despatch by Lord Kitchener dated 23 June 1902), and received the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his service.
McHardy was the first Colony Commissioner of the Boy Scout Association, Hong Kong Branch in 1914 and 1915. He then went to France and participated in World War I. He was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG).