Good morning Dave ,
Many thanks for your prompt reply and the information contained in it , its all greatly appreciated The information I have to date has been gathered from a number of sources but mostly from letters sent by Robert to his father and sister, who in turn fortunately gave the letters to the local paper for publication. I know he was at Magersfontein and was reported as 'missing, but returned to camp a day or two later' . I also know his DCM was not for Magersfontein as an explanation is given in 'A Military History of Perthshire ' page 9 which says: ' Some comment was afterwards caused at home by the fact no return was sent in of the Black Watch who had distinguished themselves in this engagement (Magersfontein). The Commanding Officer decided that where all had done their share it would be unjust to select names' In the local newspaper in April 1901 it was reported ' Mr. John McGregor.. has received intimation that his son ,Private Robert McGregor, of the Black Watch , has been recommended for the Distinguished Service Order (sic) for bravery on the battlefield at Koodoosberg ...'
In a letter written from Bloemfontein to his sister in Aberfeldy he described his part in the battle of Paardeberg:
' I was wounded (at Paardeberg) about half past six in the morning of the fight. We left camp at 5 am and advanced in skirmishing order across the veldt in the direction of the enemy's laager.the river Modder was on the left and the Boers were firing across it at us. General Hector McDonald , as brave a soldier as ever wore the tartan, told the Black Watch and the Seaforths to cross the river and attack the enemy from the other side. We waded through , though we had to catch each other's hand and help one another across, the current being so strong that we were nearly washed away. We climbed up the bank of the river on the other side, and then the music started!
Two of A Company and myself joined a party of 12 men who were lying down behind a small bush, and started firing on the enemy, at least what we could see of them, and that was only horses and some kraals. Our Adjutant, Captain Hamilton, thought we weren't far enough up , so he told us to advance.
5047 Private (G.) McGregor of C Company , a Dundee chap , got up, but was promptly knocked down again by a Mauser bullet. It hit him fair in the chest, and went clean through and out of his back. I took a bandage from his pocket, and , taking off his jacket, had just got the second turn of the bandage round his body when 'Ping!'- a bullet came bizzing along and hit me on the right breast and went out underneath my armpit. It went through my haversack, strap, jacket and shirt , and grazed the skin. It came like a kick from a horse.'
Could this have resulted in the second 'mention' McGregor received for the Boer War.
I am sure there is more to find out and will keep searching with the assistance of the likes of yourself and other like minded individuals . Many thanks for your interest
