| Gordon Highlanders 1881-1902 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The first battalion saw action in Egypt and the Soudan and were part of the Highland Brigade at Tel- El-Kebir. Egypt
medals with 4 clasps are not uncommon and a small number with 5 clasps were awarded.
This battalion served in NW India from 1894 to 1898 and were entitled to the medal with one, two or three clasps, Relief
of Chitral, Punjab Frontier and Tirah. After winning 2 VCs at Dargai this battn. was sometimes referred to as the Dargai
Battalion. The more famous of the two VCs was won by Piper George Findlater who continued to rally the men after being
shot through both feet.
In 1898, the battalions met in India and a large number of men wishing to remain on the subcontinent transferred from the
first to the second battalion.
Just before the Boer War broke out, the second battn. were shipped from India to Natal . Although only five companies of
the battalion took part in the battle of Elandslaagte, the majority were besieged at Ladysmith . This battalion typically
earned Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing's Nek and Belfast. Approx. 150 men earned the Relief of Ladysmith clasp,
these were either men who had stayed behind in India or those who may have been wounded at Elandslaagte and were not
taken back with the regt. to Ladysmith and thereafter surrounded by the Boers.
The first battn. left Scotland in late 1899 and saw action at Magersfontein, Paardeberg, Doornkop as well as many smaller
battles. The "normal clasps for this battalion are Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg and Belfast. A small
contingent of MI received the clasps for Relief of Kimberley, Diamond Hill and Wittebergen.
Both battalions saw much action during the Boer War, one action in particular resulted in Churchill declaring that "surely
they are the finest regiment in the world" (after Doornkop May 1900) as well as the King declaring that he was proud to be
Colonel in Chief after the July 2001 attack at Naboomspruit when the last man standing was asked why they hadn’t
surrendered, the reply was “why man we are the Gordon Highlanders”
The battalions met at Belfast, only three years after reuniting in India. Both battalions earned the battle clasp "Belfast"
making it the second most common clasp to the Regt. (after Cape Colony) 18 clasps in all were awarded to the Regiment. Jim
has 17 in his collection and is keen to acquire a QSA with Tugela Heights.
medals with 4 clasps are not uncommon and a small number with 5 clasps were awarded.
This battalion served in NW India from 1894 to 1898 and were entitled to the medal with one, two or three clasps, Relief
of Chitral, Punjab Frontier and Tirah. After winning 2 VCs at Dargai this battn. was sometimes referred to as the Dargai
Battalion. The more famous of the two VCs was won by Piper George Findlater who continued to rally the men after being
shot through both feet.
In 1898, the battalions met in India and a large number of men wishing to remain on the subcontinent transferred from the
first to the second battalion.
Just before the Boer War broke out, the second battn. were shipped from India to Natal . Although only five companies of
the battalion took part in the battle of Elandslaagte, the majority were besieged at Ladysmith . This battalion typically
earned Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing's Nek and Belfast. Approx. 150 men earned the Relief of Ladysmith clasp,
these were either men who had stayed behind in India or those who may have been wounded at Elandslaagte and were not
taken back with the regt. to Ladysmith and thereafter surrounded by the Boers.
The first battn. left Scotland in late 1899 and saw action at Magersfontein, Paardeberg, Doornkop as well as many smaller
battles. The "normal clasps for this battalion are Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg and Belfast. A small
contingent of MI received the clasps for Relief of Kimberley, Diamond Hill and Wittebergen.
Both battalions saw much action during the Boer War, one action in particular resulted in Churchill declaring that "surely
they are the finest regiment in the world" (after Doornkop May 1900) as well as the King declaring that he was proud to be
Colonel in Chief after the July 2001 attack at Naboomspruit when the last man standing was asked why they hadn’t
surrendered, the reply was “why man we are the Gordon Highlanders”
The battalions met at Belfast, only three years after reuniting in India. Both battalions earned the battle clasp "Belfast"
making it the second most common clasp to the Regt. (after Cape Colony) 18 clasps in all were awarded to the Regiment. Jim
has 17 in his collection and is keen to acquire a QSA with Tugela Heights.
|
Since many men were already serving in India when
the Boer War broke out, it is not uncommon to see
IGS and Boer War medals awarded to the same man.
Since a large number of men switched battalions in
India, the IGS medals are paired up with both
battalions serving in the Boer War thereby
providing a wide range of clasp combinations.
Here are some Trios.
the Boer War broke out, it is not uncommon to see
IGS and Boer War medals awarded to the same man.
Since a large number of men switched battalions in
India, the IGS medals are paired up with both
battalions serving in the Boer War thereby
providing a wide range of clasp combinations.
Here are some Trios.
|
| Gordon Highlanders memorial at Elandslaagte |
|
|
|
|