This man joined the Dragoon Guards in January 1900 as Donald CLARKE, so the (few) record sheets are "mis-filed" in the WW1 Service Records (WO 363). The only CLEAR reference to his correct name is on the hand-written Cover Sheet - which also notes 2 Regimental Numbers that do not appear in these pages. Perhaps they have been removed and re-filed?

Duncan Mearns CRUICKSHANK, signed up with the Dragoon Guards at Stratford (London) on 4 January 1900, declared age 22y 2m, born Greenwich. Regt Nos: 4765 (Drag Gds), 4391 (KO Hussars), 6667 (PWO Hussars). Suffered badly from rheumatism. Accused of fraudulent enlistment in May 1906 - trial dispensed with, but all previous service forfeited. Still serving in 1907 ...

Next of kin: sister Nellie (address unknown, since deceased); aunt Alice DARTNELL/HARTNELL (Woolwich, since deceased).

From freebmd, he appears to be ALEXANDER DUNCAN MEARNS CRUICKSHANK, born Q2 1877, Kensington. Perhaps he married in 1905/1906, which would cause his real name to come the Army's attention?

Anc****y, CLA, pages 116231 to 116243