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From the next City Coins auction, November 2020

QSA (1) CC (6372 Pte. G. Fraser, 2. Sea. Highrs.)
Rim nicks and clasp slightly bent.

“At Magersfontein the Seaforths saw their 1st fighting in the campaign. The leading battalion (Black Watch) got thrown into confusion in the dark by a very thick bit of bush about 20-30 yards long. The Seaforths went round this bush to the right & had just got into its original position behind the Black Watch when the order was given to extend by Maj-Gen. Wauchope to the Black Watch.

The Seaforths & two companies of the A & S Highlanders were also moving out & in the act of extending when suddenly a heavy fire was poured in by the enemy, most of the bullets going over the men. Lt. Col. Hughes-Hallett at once ordered the Seaforths to fix bayonets & charge the position.

No orders being received by the Seaforths, the C.O. advanced the leading units to try & reach the trenches, which were about 400 yards off, but the officers & half the men fell before a very heavy fire, which opened as soon as the men moved. About 10 minutes later the Seaforths tried another rush, with the same result Col. Hughes-Hallett then considered it best to remain where he was till orders came.

5 Officers & 53 men K.I.A. 7 Officers & 136 men wounded & 14 taken P.O.W. ‘The Times’ historian recorded that a party of the Seaforths got round to the east of the hill & ascended it from the rear. They were driven down, partly by the fire of the British guns & were all either killed or wounded.”
“Our Regiments in S.A.” – Stirling.

Pte Fraser was Killed in Action at Magersfontein and is buried in the West End Cemetery, Kimberley.

From the next City Coins auction, November 2020

Fauresmith, 19 October 1900

After discussing the Boer attack on the Jagersfontein garrison the “Times History” Vol V, p25 continues:

“At Fauresmith there stood a smaller garrison, consisting of 117 Seaforth Highlanders, 20 Imperial Yeomanry and a Town Guard of 17 men, the whole under Capt A B A Stewart. Closely encircled on 3 sides by hills, which are themselves commanded by higher hills, Fauresmith was a difficult place to defend with such a weak force. Stewart wisely kept his Highlanders together on a kopje south of the town, while the Yeomanry under Lt Richardson held a fort built of stones and sandbags on a low ridge to the north. At 4.15am on October 19 a determined attack was made, mainly against the H’landers. All the troops held firm, and by 8:30, having inflicted nine casualties, the Boers drew off.”

QSA (4) CC, Paard, Drief, Witt (5685 Pte J Stewart, 2:Sea Highrs)

Pte Stewart was one of two Highlanders killed during the Boer attack and is buried in Fauresmith.

The SAFF Casualty Roll and “In Memoriam” incorrectly states that he and Pte A Pagett were killed on 16 October 1900, but on the QSA medal roll (WO100/203) he is identified as 5685 Bandsman Josiah Stewart. Killed 19.10.1900 Fauresmith.

Picture courtesy of Spink

Queen's Sudan (4398. Pte. A. Tait. 1/Sea: Hrs:);
QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4398 Pte. A. Tait, 2:Sea:Highrs:);
KSA (2) (4398 Pte. A. Tait. Seaforth Highrs:);
Khedive's Sudan (2) The Atbara, Khartoum (4398 Pte. A. Tait 1st Sea. Highrs.), engraved naming

Alexander Tait was born at Scremerston, Northumberland in 1871 and was a coal miner upon his enlistment in the Seaforth Highlanders at Berwick-upon-Tweed on 12 November 1892. He saw active service in India (Medal & clasp), the Sudan (Queen's Medal; Khedive's Medal & 2 clasps) and South Africa (Queen's Medal & 3 clasps; King's Medal & 2 clasps). Tait was discharged on 11 November 1904.

Sold for a hammer price of £520. Totals (inc VAT on the commission for the UK only): £645. R12,500. Au$1,130. Can$1,080. US$860

At the docks in Cape Town


Waiting for orders


Machine gun detachment


On parade

Source: ILN 23 December 1899

Picture courtesy of Lockdales

IGS 1854 (1) Hazara 1891 (1655 Pte P Callander, 2d Bn Sea Highrs);
QSA (5) CC/Paar/Drie/Trans/Witt (1655 Pte P Callander, 2: Sea: Highrs);
KSA (2) (1655 Pte P Calender, Seaforth Highrs).

Service papers extant. Born Falkirk.

Picture courtesy of Lockdales

[ Queen's Sudan ]
QSA (3) CC/OFS/Trans (5700 L-Corpl J Neill Sea Highrs M.I.);
Khedives Sudan (2) The Atbara and Khartoum (5700 Lce Corp J Neill 1 Sea Hrs).

Served in the Boer War with the 18th MI.

Entitled to SA01 and SA02 clasps.

James Neill. Born in 1876 in Edinburgh. Service papers available.

Sold for a hammer price of £220.