He received a rather brief Mention in Despatches from Colonel Willcocks: "This officer did very good work".  Even a short Mention was better than no mention one might assume. For his services
in West Africa, Grahame was awarded the 1901 Ashanti Medal with the clasp "Kumassi". During this campaign Grahame was promoted local captain.

In 1901-2 he took part in operations in Southern Nigeria with the 3rd Battalion, West African Frontier Force. Appointed local major, he was once more mentioned in despatches: "After the capture of Aro Chuko, this officer was selected to disarm and subjugate a large extent of territory. So well was this duty carried out that I was enabled to bring hostilities to a close at least a month sooner than I anticipated, and before the rains set in". During the campaign he was slightly wounded. Adding to his growing collection of medals he was awarded the 1902 African General Service Medal with the clasp "Aro 1901-2". Additionally with the following citation published in the 12 September 1902 edition of the London Gazette: "John Crum Grahame, Captain, Highland Light Infantry. For services during the Aro Expedition in Southern Nigeria.", Grahame was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished
Service Order.

Serving with the Egyptian Army and the Sudan Civil Administration from 1904 to 1907, Grahame may well have posed for this photograph at the time of his appointment.

​

After the end of his Egyptian service, Grahame was promoted major on 18 December 1908 and commanded the detachment of his old battalion, the 2nd Highland Light Infantry, which took part in the coronation of King George V and was awarded the 1911 Coronation Medal. He assumed command of the Depot of the Highland Light Infantry at Hamilton, a post he held between 1911 and 1912.

With the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, he was appointed to command the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry, which he raised, organized, and trained. In May 1915, he deployed with his battalion to France, and saw action at Festubert and Cambrai. At the Battle of Loos, he was severely gassed and in January 1916 was Mentioned in Despatches for "Gallant and
distinguished conduct in the field". Grahame continued in command of the 10th Highland Light Infantry until 9 March 1916, when probably due to the accumulated effects of front line service, he was invalided home.

He returned to the Western Front again in December 1916, and was in command of the 10, and 11th Highland Light Infantry, and later of the 12th battalion, and of the 9th battalion (Glasgow Highlanders). Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 16 December 1916, he assumed field command of his old battalion, the 2nd Highland Light Infantry. Grahame was very severely wounded during the Battle
of Arras in April 1917. It seems that this final wound kept him from the front until the end of the war. For his war service, Grahame was entitled to the 1914 -15 Star and the British War and Victory Medals.

During his spare time while on campaign Grahame indulged in the pastimes common to British officers. He traveled through the more remote parts of eastern Europe and Asia Minor and while in Egyptian service hunted along the Blue Nile.

John Crum Grahame married the former Miss Alice Clara Purvis on 27 July 1905, at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh. He died at Dumbartonshire on 19 August 1952 at the age of 82.


Cabinet Photograph
Unknown African Location
Unknown Photographer
c. 1904