Duncan Munro Bethune was born in Bosshire, Scotland in 1816, the son of the Rev Hector Bethune and Jane MacKenzie, one of 11 children. He joined the 9th in 1835 and served in the First Afghan War of 1842. He was appointed Adjutant at the forcing of the Khyber Pass, and was ADC to his CO, Sir John McCaskill at the battle of Mamukail and throughout the campaign. He was also Colonel McCaskill’s ADC in the Sutlej Campaign against the Sikhs. At the battle of Moodki his boss was killed. He was then appointed ADC to Brigadier Wallace who was also killed when they fought at Ferozeshah. Bethune had his horse shot from under him at that battle. At Sobraon he commanded the light company of the 9th. His next active service was in the Crimea. With the rank of lieutenant-colonel he commanded the 1st Battalion from December 1858 to January 1861.
Duncan Bethune was married twice, firstly to Jane Knight in Farnham, Surrey. The wedding was on 9 August 1859. They had a child, Duncan Norfolk Bethune, born on 25 Nov 1861. Jane died in 1910 so they must have divorced. He was married secondly to Frances Williams Mackreth. He died at his home at Ivybank House, Nairn in Scotland on 18 December 1870.
1835 Ensign 17 Apr
1838 Lieutenant 21 Mar
1845 Captain 22 Dec
1854 Major 29 Dec
1858 Lieutenant-Colonel 24 Dec
Regimental Details | Commanding Officers
