soldier-of-the-month

SOLDIER OF THE MONTH

Major General Robert Cotton Money M.C.

(1888 - 1985)

The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Robert Money with wife Daphne in India, 1930s

Money was born in 1888 and joined The Cameronians as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1909 after leaving Sandhurst. Known as ‘Robin’, Money served with the regiment during the First World War, where his experiences were brought vividly to life through his photographs. Taken using a small folding Kodak camera, carried on his belt, these show The Cameronians’ arrival in France, as well as fighting in Mons, Marne and the Aisne, and Flanders. Unlike ‘official’ photographs from the front lines, Money’s images are remarkable for showing a very personal aspect of the War. The photographs were sent to Glasgow to be developed, where they appeared in many newspapers at the time.

Money made steady progress through the ranks, and at the end of December 1914, was one of only two officers in the regiment to be awarded the new honour of the Military Cross. He was also mentioned in dispatches during his War Service. On the 9th May 1915 he was wounded, following a day of heavy shell fire and while Captain and Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, but later resumed his service.

By 1931, Money was Lieutenant-Colonel of the 1st Battalion, and in September of that year he took the 1st battalion to Lucknow. There, the battalion’s duties covered internal security, particularly communal disorders. This began his links with India, as he later commanded the Lucknow Infantry brigade (1936 -1939) and served as District Commander in India (1942 – 1944).

In 1944 Money retired from the army following his service in India, however he worked for the Ministry of Transport before fully retiring in 1952. Money was twice married; 1917 saw his marriage to Daphne Dorina Flora Gartside Spaight (known as ‘Brownie’). They had two children, Felicity and Robert (known as Robin or Roy). Roy was killed during the Second World War in 1940, at Dunkirk. Daphne died in 1968, and in 1978, Money married for the second time to Evelyn M. Grosstephen. He died in 1985.


2nd Lieutenant Money, 1909	Acting Captain Money on 15/11/14 - Caption written by Money : 'Self and No.1 Machine Gun (memo. Author must not be photographed again!) '

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