William St John Somerville McAlester of Loup and Kennox was recognised as such by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in 1991. The Gaelic designation of the chiefs of Clan MacAlister is Mac Iain Duibh in reference to Eoin Dubh, from whom the MacAlisters of Loup claim to descend.
William grew up in an army family. His father was Colonel Charles Godfrey Somerville McAlester OBE MC of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. He was known as Jock and he was accelerated during WWII to command the West Kent’s which was given the name of ‘Jock’s Cockneys’ by the Germans!
William joined the Royal Marines and served in the Falklands War with 40 Commando Royal Marines from 2 April to 14 June 1982. He left the Royal Marines in 1996 after serving 17-years. When he retired, he was employed in the Yacht construction industry in the UK for several years. He left that occupation to start his own transportation business delivering aviation equipment and parts throughout the United Kingdom and the European Union, as well as to the Far East and Oman in the Middle East.
Chief William currently resides in the family home in Christchurch, Dorset, England. He is the father of two adult children, Keely and Ranald. Ranald recently completed his service in the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm and is now working in private industry.