Alexander Ramsay Harman was born in 1877 at Hartley Witney, Hampshire, son of Lieut.-General Sir George Byng Harman and Helen Margaret Harman. He was educated at St. Clements, Summertown, Oxford and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

As a Honorary Queen's Cadet he was commissioned in to the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) on the 27th October 1897 with the rank of Second Lieutenant, and saw service in the Sudan and thoughout the South African War.

Promotted to rank of Lieutenant on the 4th December 1899 and to Captain in August 1902.

He was mentioned-in-despatches in 1901 (South Africa), the citation read; "For exceptional good work with transport, April and May 1901, in operations north of Middleburg."

He then retired and was placed on the Reserve of officers in 1913. That same year he married Sarah Janet Pitcairn Gage-Brown (a widow) at The Parish Curch, St. Ethelburga, Bishopgate, London on the 22nd November 1913.

In 1914 he was recalled for service and took over command of the 1/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment on the 7th November 1914, taking the Battalion to France on the 1st April 1915. He remained in command of that Battalion until 1917.

On the 19th January 1916 he was invalided home sick and Major F. M. Tomkinson took over temporary command. On the 10th May 1916 he rejoined the 1/7th Battalion from hospital and resumed command.

He was awarded the D.S.O. (London Gazette 20/10/1916) for gallantry at Ovillers, France in July 1916 his citation read; "For the excellent handling of his battalion, notably when clearing the enemy's trenches with great determination during several consecutive days."

He was also mention-in-despatches 4 times (L.G. 1/1/1916, 15/6/1916, 4/1/1917 and 20/5/1918).

On the 6th September 1917 he was promotted to Temporary Brigadier-General and attached to Headquater Unit.

He was awarded a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (C.M.G.) by the King in the 1918 New Years honours (London Gazette 3/6/1918).

On the 23rd February 1919 he was granted the honorary rank of Brigadier-General.

Brig.-Gen. Alexander Ramsay Harman died in London on the 12th April 1954 (age 76).

Brig.-Gen. A. R. Harman