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CMG breast Badge, converted for neck wear, silver-gilt and enamel, reverse centre depressed, minor white enamel damage, with neck riband; DSO VR., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; QSA (3), MR, Paard, Tr (Lt. & Adjt: W.G. Neilson, D.S.O., A & S. Hgrs.), letter 'N' of surname officially corrected; KSA 1901-02, (2) (Lt. & Adjt. W.G. Neilson. D.S.O. A & S. Hgrs.); 1914-15 Star (Capt. W.G. Neilson. D.S.O. A. & S. Hghrs.); BWM and VM MID (Lt. Col. W.G. Neilson.), last partially officially renamed.

C.M.G. London Gazette 3.6.1916 Maj. Walter Gordon Neilson, D.S.O., Arg. & Suth'd Highrs.

D.S.O. London Gazette 27.9.1901 Lieutenant Walter Gordon Neilson, Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders)
'In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.'

Colonel Walter Gordon Neilson, CMG DSO (1876-1927) was born at Thankerton House, Bothwell, Glasgow. He was educated at Merchiston Castle School and Fettes College. Neilson gained a Rugby Cap for Scotland, against England in 1894. He was still at school when he was called up, 'in the 1890's, four brothers - the Neilsons - from Merchiston Castle School were all capped by Scotland. Both Walter and William made their debuts at the age of 17 years and five months; whereas George had to wait until he was 20 and Robert 19.'

Neilson was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1897. He served with distinction during the war in South Africa, 1899-1902. He was present during the advance on Kimberley, and the regimental history records his part in the Battle of Modder River, 28.11.1899, 'At the battle of Modder River, about midday, a man of "G" Company, lying in advance of the general line, was badly wounded, bleeding to death, and unable to crawl back to a small depression in the ground, where Captain Shanahan, R.A.M.C., was attending to the wounded. 2nd Lieut. Neilson seeing this ran out and carried the man to the medical officer, thus saving his life. On returning to the firing line 2nd Lieut. Neilson was shot through the arm....

The total casualties during the day were Lieutenant Baker-Carr and 2nd Lieut. Neilson wounded, and 19 non-commissioned officers and men killed and 101 wounded, of whom 11 subsequently died of wounds, not to mention various slight wounds which did not necessitate men leaving the ranks, making a total of 122 casualties out of 478 for the whole force engaged.' (History of the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders, R.P. Dunn Pattison refers)

It was at Magersfontein, 11.12.1899, when Neilson's leadership came to the fore, 'It seems that Colonel Goff was almost killed at the first discharge. The command therefore devolved on Major Wolrige-Gordon. He went back to where the mass of the battalion had rallied and shaken out into open order. Wolrige-Gordon at once ordered an advance; the right of the line was entrusted to 2nd Lieut. Neilson. Very soon after this, about 4.30, the guns opened fire and relieved the strain on the brigade. Neilson, who had most of his own company well in hand, and a mixture of men from the other battalions of the brigade, kept bearing away to the right. Soon he came under a very heavy fire from the mimosa and scrub on his right flank. This fire came from the outpost of Scandinavians, who were stationed there to cover the gap between the trenches on Magersfontein Hill and the underfeature. Neilson at once developed an attack on this position, and after some considerable time, about 6am, he got to within charging distance. He then gave the word, and, aided by mixed detachments under 2nd Lieuts. Sceales, King, and Lang who had joined him sometime before, either captured or bayoneted the whole detachment....' (Ibid).

Neilson's account of the action included in the regimental history adds the following:

'Major Gordon came along to my end of the line and said that he was going to advance, and that I was to take command of the right of the line. I did so, and we had not gone far before we were subjected to a very heavy fire from our right flank, where mimosa and scrub were growing. I made my part of the line change direction and we made for this fire: very soon I could discern men retiring and lying behind bushes. Against these bushes fire was directed, and we gradually closed and finally charged, and what was left of these Scandinavians (for it turned out to be the advanced post of Scandinavians, some 60 or 70), held up (each) a little white flag. It was impossible to stop the bayonet being used in all cases, as these fellows had fired on us up to the last; but the men were very good, and gave quarter in almost every case. We found that we had made sore havoc of this post. Behind one bush I counted six dead. The wounded were scattered about, the uninjured we collected, some 25 or 30, and I sent them back under an escort.... I found the officer in command of this post mortally wounded through the body.'

Neilson also took part in the action at Koodoosberg, the battles of Paardeburg and Poplar Grove, and the actions at Waternal, Houtnek, Bloemberg, Roodeport and Heilbron. He served under Major General Hamilton during the operations in the Transvaal and was present during the actions at De Wagen Drift, Zilikats Nek and Olifant's Nek (D.S.O.; M.I.D. London Gazette 10.9.1901 and 29.7.1902).

Neilson served as Adjutant with the regiment, 1902-05. He was appointed Brigade Major, Lothian Infantry Brigade, Scottish Command in 1912. Neilson served in the same capacity with 1/1st Lothian Infantry Brigade, Central Force, Home Defence, 5.8.1914-19.3.1915. He joined the 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Ypres, March 1915. Neilson was posted as Brigade Major, 139th Infantry Brigade, and served in the French theatre of war, 1.6.1915-21.7.1916. For the remainder of the war he served in a number of Staff positions on the Western Front including with the 34th Division, the 15th Army Corps, the 63rd Division and Headquarters 4th Army (C.M.G.; M.I.D. London Gazette 1.1.1916, 15.6.1916, 4.1.1917 and 15.5.1917; Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel 3.6.1918).

Neilson was appointed to the command of the 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Aldershot, in 1922. He held this command until his death, as a result of a riding accident, 29.4.1927.

Provenance: Taylor Collection, Christie, November 1990

Picture courtesy of Spink

DSO GV, silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar, central obverse medallion slightly depressed; MVO breast Badge, silver, silver-gilt, and enamel, reverse officially numbered ‘439’; QSA (3), CC, OFS, SA01, clasp carriage remodelled for mounting purposes, last date clasp a copy (Lieut. H.G. Sotheby. Arg. & Suth. Highrs.); 1914 Star, with copy Bar, unnamed; BWM and VM M.I.D. Oak Leaves (Lt. Col. H.G. Sotheby); Jubilee 1897, silver (H.G. Sotheby.), contemporarily engraved in large serif capitals; Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911; France, Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1917, with bronze star on riband; Denmark, Kingdom, Order of the Dannebrog, Knight´s breast Badge, F.VIII.R. (1906-12), 58mm including crown suspension x 27mm, gold and enamel; Sweden, Kingdom, Order of Vasa, Knight´s breast Badge, 60mm including crown suspension x 39mm, gold and enamel; Norway, Order of St Olav, Knight First Class breast Badge, 68mm including crown and lion suspension x 44mm, gold and enamel; Italy, Kingdom, Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, Knight´s breast Badge, 39mm, gold and enamel

D.S.O. London Gazette 1.1.1918 Capt. Herbert George Sotheby, Arg and Suth'd Highrs, Spec. Res.
'For distinguished service in the Field.'

M.V.O. V Class London Gazette 22.6.1914 Herbert George Sotheby, Esq., of the Private Secretary's Office, Buckingham Palace

M.I.D. London Gazette 21.12.1917 Sotheby, Maj. (actg. Lt.-Col.) H.G., M.V.O. (Spec. Res.), Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

M.I.D. London Gazette 28.12.1918 Sotheby, Maj. (T./Lt.-Col.) H.G., M.V.O., D.S.O., 4th Bn., Comdg. 10th Bn., Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

M.I.D. London Gazette 9.7.1919 Sotheby, Maj. (T./Lt.-Col.) H.G., D.S.O., M.V.O., 4th Bn. (Comdg. 10th Bn.), Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert George Sotheby, D.S.O., M.V.O., (1871-1954), Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 4th (Militia) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 6.1.1900; promoted Lieutenant, 12.12.1900; served in South Africa as Station Staff Officer, and Railway Staff Officer; slightly wounded near Kroonstad, 1.1.1901; promoted Captain, 4.2.1902; served during the Great War on the Western Front with the 4th Battalion from 7.10.1914, and present at the First Battle of Ypres, 1914; wounded in the right leg, 9.11.1914, and had a shrapnel bullet removed from his right tibia, 19.11.1914; promoted Major, 20.2.1916, and commanded the 10th Battalion at the Battle of the Somme, at Longueval, July 1916, and Bapaume, October 1916; the Battle of Arras, April to May 1917; the Battle of Passchendaele, October 1917; the Battle of Amiens, August 1918; the Battle of Cambrai, at St. Quentin, September to October 1918; and the Battle of the River Selle, October 1918; promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, 15.12.1916; resigned, 1.7.1921.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sotheby served as a Clerk in the Privy Purse Office, Buckingham Palace, from June 1893, and accompanied King Edward VII on his Royal Visits to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, April to May 1908; and to Italy, April 1909; awarded the Royal Victorian Order in 1914. In later life he served as Sherriff and a Deputy-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire. He was the author of the 10th Battalion's History, and his Boer War diary is in the National Library of Scotland.

Provenance: Spink Medal Quarterly, June 1995

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MBE breast Badge, silver (Hallmarks for London 1919); SAGS (1), 1879 (1788 Lce. Sergt. R.C. Williamson. 91st Foot.), suspension slack; QSA (5), MR, Paard, Drie, Tr, SA01 (Lt. & Qmr. R.C. Williamson. A & S. Highrs)

Major Richard Charles Williamson, MBE (1859-1927); enlisted 91st Highlanders in 1877, and served throughout the Zulu War of 1879; promoted to Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion on 6.7.1887 and held this important position for the next ten years, serving under no fewer than four commanding officers; commissioned Lieutenant and Quartermaster, 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, July 1897; and served as such in the Boer War until September 1900, when he became Quartermaster to the newly arrived 4th (Paisley) Militia Battalion; advanced Captain and Quartermaster, November 1900; retired in March 1908; for his services at home during the Great War he was awarded the M.B.E., 'Major R.C. Williamson, the "Chief" of the National Service Department at Stirling, attended an investiture at Buckingham Palace, London, last Wednesday to receive his M.B.E. insignia.s. at the hands of the King. There were between two and three hundred military and civilian recipients of the Order, but the Major was the only one in officer's uniform of a Highland regiment, and his stalwart figure in the kilt - which he knows how to swing properly - attracted much attention. Six times after leaving the Palace he was held up by press photographers anxious to get a snap shot of him, and judging by the illustrations in next day's papers, they did good work' (Stirling Observer, 6.4.1918, refers); he was appointed Superintendent of the Scottish Blinded Soldiers' and Sailors' Hostel, Newington House, Edinburgh, October 1918; he oversaw the Prince of Wales' visit in December 1924.

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DCM VR [and bar] (1980 Clr: Serjt: J. Mackie. 4th Arg: & Suth: Hig.s.); IGS 1895 (1), Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (1980 Sergt. .s.ummer J. Mackie 2d. Bn. Arg&Suth.s Highrs); QSA (3), CC, OFS, SA01 (.s.s C. Sgt. J. Mickie [sic], Arg: & Suth: Highrs); LS&GC EdVII (1980 C. Sjt: Instr: Mskty: J. Mackie. A.&.S. Highrs:)

DCM LG 27 Sep 1901 Clr. Sgt. J. Mackie, 4th Battalion, Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders)
'In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.'

DCM Second Award Bar LG 3 Jun 1916 12040 Coy. S./M. (Actg. S./M.) J. Mackie, 12th Bn., L'Pool R.
'For conspicuous gallantry during a heavy bombardment by the enemy he moved fearlessly about to places of the greatest danger. He has done fine work on patrol, and on one occasion dispersed with bombs an enemy working party.'

Captain James Douglas Mackie, DCM (1871-1916), born Aghada, Cork, Ireland; resided in later life at 49 Esher Road, Kensington, Liverpool; enlisted as Boy in the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 1885; served with the regiment in India, November 1891-April 1898; advanced Sergeant, October 1894; Sergeant Drummer, March 1898; served with the 4th Battalion in South Africa, 18 Jan 1900-5 Aug 1901 (DCM and Mentioned in Earl Roberts Despatch dated, 4 Sep 1901, LG 10 Sep 1901); Colour Sergeant Instructor of Musketry, 7 Apr 1905 (LS&GC 1 Oct 1904); transferred 10th (Scottish) Battalion, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment), from whom he was discharged 5 Jun 1909, after 23 years and 194 days service; re-engaged for service during the Great War aged 43, as Colour Sergeant (No.12040), 12th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment, 14 Sep 1914; served with the regiment in the French theatre of war, from July 1915; Acting Regimental Sergeant Major, 27 Oct 1915; commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant, 12th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment, 5 Mar 1916; promoted Temporary Captain, 30 Mar 1916; appointed to command 'B' Company, 9 Apr 1916, and was killed in action the following day, 'Mackie badly wounded shortly after midnight whilst examining wire in front of trenches. He died whilst being brought in 2nd Lt. Mackie was buried at night' (Battalion War Diary refers); Mackie was buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.

Provenance: Taylor Collection, Christie, November 1990

Pictures courtesy of C&T Auctions

QSA (5) CC OFS Joh DH 01 (7289 CORPL J PATERSON V:CO A&S HIGHRS”);
Volunteer Force LS&GV Ed VII (2457 SERJT J PATTERSON 3/V.B A&S HDRS”).

C&T Auctions include images of the naming which is a very welcome feature.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (2) Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (5511 Pte. A. Jack. A. & S. Highrs:);
British War and Victory Medals (22968. 1.A.M. A. Jack. R.A.F.)

Alexander Jack was born in Dundee in 1877 and attested for service with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Stirling on 2 September 1895. He served in India from September 1897 to April 1902, at which time he was posted to South Africa, serving in the campaign there with the 1st Battalion from 18 April 1902 until the conclusion of hostilities. He returned to England in May 1903 and transferred to the Army Reserve in June 1903. He received his final discharge on 1 November 1914.

During the Great War, Jack attested for the Royal Flying Corps and served with them as an Air Mechanic 2nd Class from 17 February 1916. He transferred to the Royal Air Force on its formation on 1 April 1918 and attained the rank of Air Mechanic 1st Class on 1 November 1918. He was transferred to the R.A.F. Reserve on 27 February 1919 and discharged on 30 April 1920.