Alexander Jack

Alexander Jack, (19 October 1805 – 27 June 1857) was a Scottish officer in the service of the East India Company in the Bengal Army. He was educated at King's College, Aberdeen. He was with the 30th Bengal Native Infantry at Aliwal, and acted as brigadier of the force sent against Kangra, in 1846, during the First Sikh War. He commanded his battalion in the Second Sikh War; was promoted colonel in 1854, and brigadier in 1857. He was treacherously shot and killed during the Cawnpore massacre in June 1857. Origins Alexander Jack was a grandson of William Jack, the minister of Northmavine, Shetland. His father, the Rev. William Jack (died 9 February 1854) (M.D., Edinburgh), was sub-principal of University and King's colleges, Aberdeen, from 1800 to 1815, and principal from 1815 to 1854. Principal Jack married in 1794 Grace, daughter of Andrew Bolt of Lerwick, Shetland, by whom he had six children. Alexander, one of four sons, was born in Old Machar, Aberdeen, on 19 October 1805, was a student in mathematics and philosophy at King's College, Aberdeen, in 1820–1822, and was remembered by a class-fellow who survived him as a tall, handsome, soldierly young man. Career Jack obtained a Bengal cadetship in 1823, was appointed ensign in the 30th Bengal Native Infantry on 23 May 1824, and became lieutenant in the regiment on 30 August 1825, captain on 2 December 1832, and major and brevet-lieutenant-colonel on 19 June 1846.