[1][2] MacFarlane-Grieve was born on 11 May 1891,[1] and was baptised at St Mary Abbots, an Anglican church in Kensington, London.
[1] On 15 August 1914, having been a member of the Officer Training Corps while at university, MacFarlane-Grieve was commissioned into the 4th Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry, British Army, as a second lieutenant (on probation).
[1] With World War II causing a shrinkage in student numbers, he was additionally appointed acting Master of Hatfield College, Durham in 1940.
[1][2] In 1953, MacFarlane-Grieve inherited the family estate at Edenhall, Scottish Borders, and retired early from Durham.
[12] In May 1917, MacFarlane-Grieve was awarded the Silver Medal of Military Valor by the King of Italy "for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign".