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Picture courtesy of Warwick and Warwick

DCM GV (S-4627 Sjt Piper T. Aitken 10/A. & S. Hdrs,);
Egypt (5) Tel-El-Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-Teb_Tamaai, The Nile 1884-85, Kirbekan (**** Piper T. Aitken ****);
QSA (2) Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 (2034 Serjt-Piper T. Aitken A. & S. Highrs,);
1914-15 Star trio (S-4627 T. Aitken A. & S. Highrs,);
Army LS&GC VR (2304 S. Piper T. Aitken Arg & Su***d Highrs);
Khedive's Star un-named as issued, heavy pitting and contact marks

Thomas Aitken's DCM was announced in the London Gazette dated 26th January 1917 "For conspicuous gallantry in action. He has performed consistent good work throughout, and has at all times under fire set a splendid example of coolness and courage." With 5 pages of Victorian records and 4 pages from 1914 re-enlistment, he enlisted as a piper in Perth in 57th Bde, stated age 17 years and 10 months 14/10/79, transferred to 3rd Bn A&S Highlanders 18/12/85, discharged 15/11/04. He re-enlisted 5/9/14 stating age as 49, posted to 10th Bn 10/10/14 and discharged no longer physically fit 15/1/17. With copied extract from The Thin Red Line: "One of the most interesting and well known personalities in the piping world today, is this grand old veteran of 83 years of age. He holds a distinguished and wonderful record of service in the Army, and is one of the few pipers left to-day who sounded the onset of pipes at the famous charge of the Highland Brigade at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir, in 1882. Pipe-Major Aitken joined the 57th Brigade at Perth in 1879, and later joined the Pipe Band of the 42nd Highlanders at Parkhurst, Isle of Wight, proceeding to Aldershot in 1880. The Band and Pipers of the 42nd and 71st were present at the 'Wet Review' in 1881, and played the Volunteers past the saluting base. In the same year Aitken was piper with the Guard of Honour of the 42nd at Ballater, and owing to trouble in Egypt, he was recalled from there to rejoin his Battalion for active service. He was present at all the battles in Egypt between the years 1882 to 1885, and holds Medals for Tel-el-Kebir, El-teb, Tania, Kirbican Medal and Star (5 clasps on Medal). In 1886 Aitken was transferred to the 93rd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as Pipe-Major, and later joined the Highland Borderers, Stirlingshire Militia. During the South African War he was Pipe-Major of the 3rd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He went to France with the First Hundred Thousand, as Pipe-Major of the 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders under Colonel MacKenzie of Ord. The gallant Pipe-Major pawkily remarked of the great change from the old system of warfare: "In the old days we would march to meet the enemy, but in France he was always at the door." At the Somme he was wounded three times in one day. At the end of 1916 he was invalided and received the D.C.M., in all he holds eight decorations; DCM, 3 Great War Medals, South African Medal (2 clasps), Egyptian Medal (5 clasps), Egyptian Star and Long Service Medal. Pipe-Major Aitken is an active member of the A. and S. H. Club in Glasgow." With a reprint of The Pipes of War which records: "During the fighting at Longueval in July 1916, although a man of sixty years of age, Pipe Major Aitken, at his own request, acted as Orderly to the Commanding Officer for the whole day; he was ultimately wounded. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry on this and many other occasions." On 14 July 1916 at Longueval the 10th Bn were part of the attack of the 26th Brigade. It was recalled: "Where we were the brunt of the action fell on two New Army Battalions of historic Highland Regiments. Their advance was one of the most magnificent sights I have ever seen. They left their trenches at dawn, and a torrent of bullets met them. They answered immediately with the shrill music of the pipes, and, indifferent apparently to the chaos around them pushed steadily on towards their objective." Another observer with his unit recalled: "We came under a blistering hot fire but the men never hesitated. In the middle of it all the pipes struck up "The Campbells are coming", and that made victory a certainty for us. We felt that whatever obstacles barred our path they had to be overcome...the last fight was the worst of all. It was at the extreme end of the village, where the enemy had possession of some ruined houses. They had a clear line of fire in all directions, and we were met with a murderous hail of fire. Then a piper sprang forward, and the strains broke out once more. The attacking line steadied and dashed at the last stronghold of the Huns. Their line snapped under our onslaught." Aitken himself was in the thick of the action and was wounded in the action. The War Diary recorded he was finally admitted to hospital on 27 July having been: "continuously through the battle and previous operations attaching himself as personal Orderly to the CO, never leaving his side except to carry messages. His behaviour and gallantry was a fine example to all ranks." He was discharged due to sickness 15/1/17 and issued Silver War Badge No 109515 and he died on 22 May 1944. With copied research including photo of Officers & Sgts D Coy 10th Bn A&S H, SWB roll, Thin Red Line extract, LG etc. This medal group was on loan to the Regimental Museum in Stirling for a number of years, but the museum have confirmed it has been returned to the family. Thomas Aitken lies in an unmarked grave in Logie Cemetery at the bottom of Wallace's Monument in Stirling and the medals are being sold to help pay for a grave stone to mark the grave

Thanks David
A very interesting and full life, and while it is sad that the wonderful collection of Medals are no longer in the possession of the family or the museum the money will be put to a very good cause.
Clive

Indeed, Clive.

The lot failed to sell at Warwick and Warwick against an estimate of £6,000.

This lot is being re-offered by Warwick and Warwick with a starting price of £5,000.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (0) (Lieut: J. Hunter, V: Co: A. & S. Highrs:)

John Hunter was born in Leith in 1878, the eldest son of iron works founder Robert Hunter of Glenfuir Mansion House, Falkirk. Educated at Falkirk High School, he fell under his father's wing and took initial employment at Portdownie Iron Works. On 27 December 1895, Hunter attested for the 4th Volunteer Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Appointed to "D" (Falkirk) Company as Private, he was advanced to a commission in July 1897. Sent to Chelsea Barracks in London, he secured the P.S. Certificate (distinguished) and another for knowledge of tactics. He also proved himself a crack shot at Bisley.

An eager and enthusiastic young officer, Hunter ranked amongst the first to volunteer his services at the outbreak of the Boer War. Sent to the Cape, his active service proved fleeting when he was struck down with enteric fever at Heilbron in the Free State. Evacuated to hospital, he succumbed on 30 June 1900. The Falkirk & Midland Counties Journal of 7 July 1900, adds: 'Lieut. Hunter was well-known and respected, and where his readiness in volunteering for active service was regarded as showing a praiseworthy and patriotic spirit, his death has caused widespread and profound grief, and many deeply regret the end that has thus been brought to what gave promise of being a successful career.’

Four days later, the Falkirk Herald added a brief line from his commanding officer: ‘A better soldier and a better man I never wish to meet.’