John Duncan (British Army officer, born 1872)

Duncan was educated at the Royal Military College, and joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1891.^[3] He served on the North West Frontier of the British Raj from 1897 to 1898, before taking part in the Second Boer War (1899–1901).^[4] On 31 January 1902 he was seconded for service on the Staff,^[5] and appointed brigade major of the infantry brigade at Malta.^[6][7]

Duncan served in the First World WaratGallipoli before being appointed commander of the 78th Infantry Brigade in 1916 and then General Officer Commanding 22nd DivisioninMacedonia in 1917.^[4] After the war he became major general on the General Staff of the Army of the Black Sea from April to December 1919.^[4]

He was appointed military attachéinRome in 1920, General Officer Commanding 54th (East Anglian) Infantry Division in 1923 and major general commanding the Shanghai Military Force in China from 1927 to 1928.^[4] The Shanghai Defence Force was established in January 1927 amidst concerns that British lives and properties were at risk during the unrest in China at the time.^[8] In practice he had to deal with a diplomatic incident when a British military plane made a forced landing on the International Race Course in Jiangwan.^[9] His last appointment was as General Officer Commanding 1st DivisionatAldershot early in 1928 before retiring later that year.^[4]

Duncan was Chief Commissioner of the St John Ambulance Brigade from 1931 to 1943.^[1] He was appointed a Bailiff Grand Cross (the highest grade) of the Venerable Order of St John in 1946.^[10]