TOPIC:

I was struck by the name of the Lala Baba Cemetery in Turkey. If the cemetery was in Natal, the name could be read in Zulu as 'Sleep Father', an appropriate name for a military cemetery,

Brett

Brett Hendey wrote: I was struck by the name of the Lala Baba Cemetery in Turkey. If the cemetery was in Natal, the name could be read in Zulu as 'Sleep Father', an appropriate name for a military cemetery,

Brett

A typically insightful comment Brett - thanks. Coincidentally according to Google translate "Baba" in Turkish means "father", unfortunately "lala" is "lala".

These long service groups are very attractive, to the Seaforths I have one of 7 (should be 8 missing the VM ) - India,Sudan,SA & WW1 and a trio (IGS & QSA, KSA) to a POW at Magersfontein. Unfortunately none are photographed, but as today I am going through my collection getting my OMRS exhibit ready I will endeavour to photograph them.

Shuter: angloboerwar.com/forum/apow-s/27225-pte-...rsfontein-11-12-1899

From the next DNW auction.


Picture courtesy of DNW

Sudan (Lieut. E. Campion. 1/Sea. Hrs.);
QSA (5) CC OFS Tr 01 02 (Capt. E. Campion, Sea: Hdrs:);
1914 Star, with clasp (Capt: E. Campion. Sea: Highrs.);
{BWM & VM with MID]
Khedive’s Sudan (2) The Atbara, Khartoum (Lieutt. E. Campion 1st Sea Highrs.)

Edward Campion was born on 18 December 1873, son of Colonel W. H. Campion, C.B., V.D., D.L., J.P., Hon. Colonel of the 4th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment and late Captain in the 72nd Highlanders, having seen service in the Crimea and Indian Mutiny. Educated at Eton College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, he was originally commissioned into his local Militia regiment, 3rd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, as 2nd Lieutenant, on 21 January 1893, and was promoted Lieutenant on 12 September 1894. He transferred to the 1st Seaforth Highlanders on 7 December 1895, which required him to revert in rank to 2nd Lieutenant and he did not regain his former rank until June 1898. He served with the battalion during the Occupation of Crete in 1897 and, in March 1898, proceeded to Egypt on active service to join in the reconquest of the Sudan, taking part in the battles of The Atbara and Khartoum (Queen’s Medal and Khedive’s Medal with 2 clasps).

Appointed A.D.C. to Colonel (temp. Major-General) R. H. Murray, C.B., C.M.G., on 1 October 1900, he was promoted to Captain on 19 March 1901. In October 1901 he was posted to South Africa for service during the latter stages of the Boer War, serving chiefly in the Lydenberg district of the Transvaal (Queen’s Medal with 5 clasps). After a brief spell at home he returned to duty in 1903 with the 1st Battalion in India, based in Nasirabad. He was seconded for service with the Supply and Transport Corps, Indian Army, on 4 March 1906, and following completion of his secondment, returned to the U.K.

Campion transferred to the 2nd Battalion in 1909 and on the outbreak of war in 1914 that battalion was stationed at Shorncliffe, Kent. After mobilising with a large influx of Reservists the battalion embarked at Southampton for France, disembarking there on 23 August 1914. He was recommended by Brigadier-General Haldane, Commanding 10th Infantry Brigade, on 2 October 1914, for “Good all round work and has made several personal reconnaissances close to the enemy’s position.” This resulted in a mention in despatches, published in the London Gazette of 17 February 1915. Promotion to Major followed on 22 October 1914.

The second battle of Ypres in May 1915 and the attack of St Julien, at which the 2nd Seaforths lost so heavily, left him in command of his regiment until all attacks had been repulsed. In expectation of the use of gas in the forthcoming German attack, Major Campion had issued the following Field Message to O.O. Coys with a note “Men to see”. The message stated: “Remember no Seaforth Highlander ever has left or ever will leave his post. Whatever damnable engine of war the enemy use the Seaforths will stick it out and will have their reward in killing the enemy.” The losses sustained by the battalion as a result of the German attack on the 2 May were 1 man killed and 10 wounded, but the following day the effects of the gas were more readily apparent with 3 officers and 321 men sick with gas poisoning. A further 24 men had already died from its effect. More officers and men would report sick in the coming days, including Major Campion who was hospitalised on 6 May.

Major Campion returned to duty from sick leave on 11 September, receiving promotion to temporary Lieutenant-Colonel following the departure of Lieutenant-Colonel Vandeleur to command a Brigade. Nothing of significance occurred during the ensuing routine of tours in the trenches but with the onset of winter it became clear that Colonel Campion had not fully recovered from the debilitating effects of the gas poisoning. He was consequently compelled to leave the battalion once again sick on 16 November 1915. He returned to England and was admitted to Endsleigh Palace Hospital in London where he finally lost the battle against his gas poisoning and died on 25 February 1916.

Sold with comprehensive research including numerous copied group photographs and extracts from his personal diary of events of his first two weeks in France from 24 August 1914.

Picture courtesy of Liverpool medals

Sudan (Corporal, 1st Seaforth Highlanders.);
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 )4943 Serjt J. Cameron. Sea: Highrs: M.I.)'
British War Medal & Bilingual Victory Medal (R.S.M. J. Cameron 4th S.A.I.);
Khedive’s Sudan (2) The Atbara, Khartoum (Corporal, 1st Seaforth Highlanders.)

Sergeant John Cameron, 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders Mounted Infantry, who was wounded in action in the Boer War, being later RSM 4th S.A.I. in WW1 when he was Killed in action on the first day of Delville Wood.

John Cameron was born in 1876 in Ross Keen, Invergordon, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland.

He attested for service on 18th April 1894, having just turned 18. He was appointed to Lance Corporal on 15th August 1895, then to Corporal on 1st April 1897.

Served in the Occupation of Crete during 1897, followed by the Nile Expedition of 1898.

Whilst in Egypt, he passed his exam for Sergeant and gained his Mounted Infantry Certificate at Cairo on 20th November 1899.

On 21st January 1901 he was sent straight to South Africa, where he served as a Sergeant in the Mounted Infantry of the 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders.

During the Boer War, he was involved in a Skirmish at Houtenbek on 9th May 1902, he was slightly wounded in the action. The total casualties were one killed and three wounded from the battalion.

He was transferred to the Army reserve on 22nd July 1902 seeming to stay posted in South Africa. He discharged form the Army Reserve on 17th April 1906.

After remaining in South Africa and during WW1, he rejoined the Army and was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of the 4th Battalion South African Infantry.

On the 15th July 1916, on the Somme, in a similar manner to the British Regiments of the 1st July 1916 where a large number of British Units took many casualties, 2 weeks later the South Africans did the same as they managed to take control of Delville Wood, but at a great cost, it is described by Sir Basil Liddell-Hart as “the bloodiest battle-hell of 1916.”

The South African Brigade had entered the battle on 15th July, 120 Officers and 3032 men had gone into action, they were not relieved for 6 days, the few survivors were so exhausted they could not stay awake even under heavy shelling, at the height of the battle on the 15th July 1916, when RSM Cameron was killed, the German Artillery were bombarding the Wood at a rate of 400 shells every minute.

At the relief, the British Soldiers who were taking their place saw the survivors and wept, only two days later barely 780 survivors were left and marched past General Lukin, who took the salute with heavy tears running down his cheeks, he knew the parents of those who had died, 85% of the officers and 77% of the ranks were casualties, the Officers from Natal amounted to 100% casualties.

An excellent retelling of the South Africans at Delville Wood was published in the South African Military History Journal Vol 7 No 2, December 1986. In an Article: The South Africans at Delville Wood, by I.S. Uys.

After being taken prisoner then Private Victor Wepener (Later Lieutenant Colonel) relayed his experiences in the battle and mentions Cameron who was killed:

“The 2nd Natal Regiment were decimated and left a large gap on our left flank. The Germans eventually came through there. Capt Medlicott’s Headquarters was in the front line, not in the rear as usual. We were shelled from all sides. At times men were killed next to me while I was talking to them. Though I had ammunition, the rain and mud go into our rifle bolts and caused them to jam. Our RSM, incidentally, was killed in the fighting.

(Editor’s Note from the SA Military History Society: Lt Col Wepener, by referring to ‘our RSM’ presumably means the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 3rd South African Regiment. In this he is incorrect. The Regimental Sergeant Major of the 3rd Battalion was W.K. Lawson, a former member of the 10th Infantry Regiment (Witwatersand Rifles) who survived both the battle and the war. However the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 4th Battalion, RSM J Cameron was killed on 15 July, and it is perhaps he to whom Lt Col Wepener is referring.)

When the Germans eventually overran us, I was impressed by a very aristocratic officer who wore a cap instead of a steel helmet. He kept his hand over his pistol holster whilst we "remnants" were being collected in an open glade. A German soldier with a bandaged head and his rifle and bayonet slung over his shoulder called me "Kamerad" (comrade). I didn't quite know what to say as I didn't fancy being his comrade. The German soldiers on average were jolly good chaps ... I then helped carry Lieut Guard who had been shot in the leg. Some of the wounded had to be left behind. I was one of the few to escape unscathed. We were then marched through their lines and we saw many Germans lying there waiting to attack. A couple of our chaps carried a German with a stomach wound on a groundsheet. Our artillery opened up and we were amused to see our guards ducking away and running for cover. After what we had been through we didn't worry about shellbursts anymore.”

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (1) Cape Colony (2789 Pte M. Mc’Lean, 2: Sea: Highrs:)

Murdoch McLean served with the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders during the Second Boer War. He was initially listed as ‘Missing’ later confirmed as killed in action at Magersfontein, 11 December 1899.

Pictures courtesy of DNW

GCVO ‘G 589’;
CB civil, converted b/b;
CIE gold and enamels;
The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer‘s breast badge), silver base metal and enamel;
QSA (2) Cape Colony, Wittebergen (Capt. M. D. Murray, Sea: Highrs.);
1914 Star (Major M. D. Murray. C.V.O. C.B.);
British War and Victory Medals (Bt. Lt. Col. Sir M. D. Murray.);
Coronation 1911;
Jubilee 1935;
Coronation 1937

GCVO London Gazette 23 June 1936: ‘Comptroller and Equerry to The Duke of Connaught; Deputy Ranger, Windsor Great Park.’ One of five appointments of the G.C.V.O. made by King Edward VIII prior to his abdication in 1936, an episode of events to which Sir Malcolm would have been a close witness.

KCVO London Gazette 3 June 1916: ‘Comptroller to H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught.’

CVO London Gazette 25 June 1909: ‘Comptroller and Equerry to H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught.’

MVO IV London Gazette 15 June 1905: ‘Comptroller and Equerry to H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught; the Marriage of Princess Margaret of Connaught.’

CB London Gazette 19 June 1911:’Coronation of King George V.’

CIE London Gazette 30 March 1921: ‘For services rendered in connection with the visit of His Royal Highness The Duke of Connaught to India in 1921.

Malcolm Donald Murray was born on 9 July 1867, son of Brigadier-General A Murray, Royal Artillery, and great grandson of the 4th Earl of Dunmore. He was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Seaforth Highlanders on 29 February 1888; Lieutenant, 4 September 1889; Captain, 1 February 1895; served as Adjutant to 1st Battalion from 1892 to 1896, when he was posted to the Depot at Fort George. In Cairo with the 1st Battalion in 1899, and transferred to the 2nd Battalion in South Africa 1899-1900, including operations in the Orange Free State, March to May 1900; operations in Orange River Colony, May to November 1900, including actions at Wittebergen (1st-29th July) and at Witpoort; operations in Cape Colony, south of the Orange River, 1900; operations in Cape Colony, north of the Orange River, including action at Ruidan. Invalided Home.

Served as A.D.C. to Major-General R. B. Lane, C.B., G.O.C. Malta, 1901-02. A.D.C. and extra Equerry to H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught, 1902-07. Promoted to Major, 3 October 1903, but retired from the army to take position as Comptroller of the Household of H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught, an office he held from 1907 until his death.

Recalled in 1914, he served on the General as G.S.O.3 and King’s Messenger Service at G.H.Q. in France and Belgium from 24 September 1914, and promoted to Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on 15 March 1916. Deputy Ranger of Windsor Great Park, 1929-36. Accompanied H.R.H. The Prince of Wales when the latter presented new Colours to the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders at Dover in 1935.

Murray would have attended all the Royal State occasions during his time with the Duke of Connaught and no doubt been privy to many Royal family matters, the most prominent being the significant ‘Edward and Mrs Simpson’ episode which led to the King’s abdication.

During his career he received many foreign awards including Knight of the Swedish Order of the Sword; Order of Saxe-Coburg 2nd Class; Order of the Red Eagle of Prussia 3rd Class; Order of the Iron Crown of Austria 2nd Class; Order of St Anne of Russia 2nd Class; Order of the Lion of Zahringen of Bavaria 2nd Class; and Order of the Crown of Italy 2nd Class.

He met his death by drowning in Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park, on 2 August 1938. He had taken luncheon with the Duke of Connaught at Bagshot Park and, as it was a hot day, he decided to go for a sail on Virginia Water, where he kept his own boat. While sailing on the lake Sir Malcolm got into difficulties, overbalanced and fell into the water. He did not come to the surface again.

His son, Lieutenant-Colonel Iain Arthur Murray, DSO & Bar, served in WW2 in the Grenadier Guards and the Glider Pilot Regiment, of which he was CO of No. 1 Wing, being awarded the DSO for Normandy and a Bar for the Crossing of the Rhine; he also served during the Battle of Arnhem. The Duke of Connaught (Prince Arthur) was a godfather to Iain Murray, taking Arthur as his middle name.

Sold for a hammer price of £3,600. Totals (inc VAT on the commission for the UK only): £4,637. R91,500. Au$8,100. Can$7,700. US$5,900