TOPIC:

If you put "T battery RHA 1900 " into Google you should be able to bring up a copy of the photo-I think this is how I found it originally.

Picture courtesy of DNW

DSO VR
QSA (3) RoM RoL Tr (3515 S.I.F. W. Jardine, 19/Hrs.) surname officially corrected;
KSA (2) (Capt. W. Jardine, Impl. Lt. Hrs.); Natal 1906, 1 clasp, 1906 (Capt. W. Jardine, D.S.O. Transvaal Mtd. Rifles.)

D.S.O. London Gazette 31 October 1902: ‘W. Jardine, Capt., 1st Imperial Light Horse. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.’

Captain W. Jardine was decorated for his gallantry during the Guerilla War while an officer in the crack Imperial Light Horse. He had served with the 19th Hussars throughout the Defence of Ladysmith as Sergeant-Instructor of Fencing, and was attached to the Imperial Light Horse for the Relief of Mafeking, and, taking his discharge from the 19th Hussars, accepted a commission in the 1st Imperial Light Horse. He was wounded and taken prisoner near Pretoria on 18 July 1900, and was wounded for a second time during the action with De Wet at Tyger Kloof on 18 December 1901. It was in this action that Surgeon-Captain Crean of the Imperial Light Horse gained the Victoria Cross for aiding the wounded whilst he was himself wounded and until he was hit a second time, and, as it was at first thought, mortally wounded.

Captain Jardine distinguished himself on two separate occasions which warranted mentions for gallantry from Lord Kitchener in his despatches:

8th December 1901 - ‘Capts. W. Jardine, J. Donaldson, on Sept. 27, were conspicuous for their coolness and promptitude in fighting in Reitz district.’

8th March 1902 - ‘Capts. G. T. Brierley and W. Jardine, both 1st I.L.H., for good work in holding their position against an attack at Langberg, December 18.’ It is probable that Jardine’s D.S.O. was awarded for this action at Tyger Kloof.

Jardine became Captain, Northern Mounted Rifles, Transvaal, 12 December 1902, and Adjutant, 1 July 1907. He took part in the quelling of the Natal Native Rebellion in 1906.

DNW September 2017. Hammered at £5,500.

Picture courtesy of DNW

CMG converted b/b
DSO VRI
QSA (3) MR Paard Tr (Lt. & Adjt: W. G. Neilson, D.S.O., A & S. Hgrs.) letter 'N' of surname officially corrected;
KSA (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.);
British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. W. G. Neilson.) VM partially officially renamed,

CMG London Gazette 3 June 1916. DSO London Gazette 27 September 1901.

Walter Gordon Neilson was born at Thankerton House, Bothwell, Glasgow, in 1876, and was educated at Merchiston Castle School and Fettes College. In 1894 he was selected to play Rugby for Scotland against England at Edinburgh in the (then) Four Nations Championship, a match which Scotland won 6-0. 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 Boer 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 November 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 on 11 December 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. For his services in South Africa he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and was twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 10 September 1901 and 29 July 1902).



Neilson served as Adjutant with the regiment from 1902 until 1905. He was appointed Brigade Major, Lothian Infantry Brigade, Scottish Command in 1912. He served in the same capacity with 1/1st Lothian Infantry Brigade, Central Force, Home Defence, during the Great War from 5 August 1914 until 19 March 1915, before joining the 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Ypres in March 1915. Posted as Brigade Major, 139th Infantry Brigade, he served in the French theatre of war from 1 June 1915 until 21 July 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. For his services in the Great War he was created a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, was promoted Brevet Lieuteant-Colonel on 3 June 1918, and was four times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 1 January 1916, 15 June 1916, 4 January 1917, and 15 May 1917).

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, on 29 April 1927.

From the next DNW auction.

A group of three awarded to Major Hon. St Leger Jervis, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who was severely wounded at Colenso when acting as A.D.C. to Major-General Arthur Fitzroy ‘No-Bobs’ Hart

DSO VR
QSA (4) CC OFS RoL Tr (Maj: Hon: St Ledger H. Jervis, D.S.O, K.R.R.C.);
KSA (2) (Capt. Hon. St. L. H. Jervis, D.S.O. K.R.R.C.)


Picture courtesy of DNW

DSO London Gazette 19 April, 1901: "’The Honourable Henry St Leger Jervis, Captain, King's Royal Rifle Corps. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.’

The Hon. St Leger Henry Jervis was born on 7 September 1863, at Godmersham Park, Canterbury, Kent, fifth son of the 3rd Viscount St Vincent and Lucy, daughter of Baskervyle Glegg, of Withington Hall, Chester. He was commissioned in the King's Royal Rifle Corps on 6 May 1885, and became Captain in 1893. He served in South Africa, 1899-1902, on the Staff, as A.D.C. to Major General Arthur Fitzroy Hart, 5th Infantry Brigade, to 15 December 1899, and 9 July to 17 November 1900; Brigade Major 18 November 1900 to 7 November 1901; D.A.A.G. from 8 November 1901. He was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso (severely wounded). He was twice mentioned in Despatches, 8 February 1901, and 29 July 1902; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. The Insignia were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa and presented there. He was promoted to Major 21 February 1903; was made D.A.A.G., South Africa, 1901-4; retired from the King's Royal Rifle Corps, 12 October 1904. On the outbreak of the war he became Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regiment. He married, in 1905, Hilda Maud, daughter of Thomas Collin, and they had two daughters.

His elder brother, the 4th Viscount St Vincent (b. 1850) died of wounds received at the battle of Abu Klea whilst serving with the 16th Lancers. At Colenso his Brigade Commander, Major-General Arthur Fitzroy Hart, was known as “General No-Bobs” because he never ducked when shells passed overhead, and he deliberately exposed himself to rifle fire.

Group to Major M A Foster, Somerset LI


Picture courtesy of Spink

DSO VR;
Jubilee 1897, silver;
QSA (1) CC (Capt. & Adjt. M. A. Foster, D.S.O., Som. L.I.), 'D.S.O.' and unit officially corrected;
KSA (2) (Maj. & Adjt. M. A. Foster. D.S.O., Som. L.I.),

DSO London Gazette 27 September 1901: 'In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.'

Montagu Amos Foster was born on 19 March 1861, the son of William Foster of Wilbury Road, Brighton, Sussex. Gazetted to the Somerset Light Infantry in January 1882, he was promoted Captain in September 1887 and served as an Adjutant in the Militia from May 1899 until February 1904.

More specifically, he served as Adjutant to the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry in the Boer War, in which period he was present in operations in Cape Colony from April 1900 until April 1902, initially serving south of the Orange River (April-November 1900). Garrison duties aside, he would have been employed in mobile columns and it was likely just such work that resulted in the award of his D.S.O. He was also twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazettes 10 September 1901 and 29 July 1902, refer).

A large contingent of officers and men of the 4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry returned to the U.K. aboard the S.S. Sicilia in April 1902 and Foster was probably among them. He had, however, previously returned home to receive his D.S.O. from the King at an investiture held on the 29 October 1901.

Foster, who was advanced to Major in April 1902, was placed on the Retired List in March 1909. He married, in 1898, Ida Frances, daughter of Brigadier-General W. G. Thompson, CMG DSO.

Picture courtesy of DNW

DSO VR
Sudan (Lt. R. F. Meiklejohn, 1/R. War. R.);
QSA (2) RoL CC (Capt. R. F. Meiklejohn, D.S.O., Devon. R.)
1914 Star, with clasp (Major R. F. Meiklejohn. D.S.O. R. War. R.);
British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. R. F. Meiklejohn.) the British War Medal officially re-impressed;
Russia, Order of St Vladimir, 4th Class, with swords, gold and enamels, 1908-17 kokoshnik mark and maker’s mark to hilts of swords, maker’s mark on suspension ring;
Khedive's Sudan (2) The Atbara, Khartoum (Lieut. R. F. Meiklejohn. The Royal Warwickshire Regt.)

Ronald Forbes Meiklejohn was born at Rawal Pindi, India, on 9 October 1876, son of Captain John F. Meiklejohn, Royal Horse Artillery. He was educated at Rugby, and joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 5 September 1896, becoming Lieutenant on 8 April 1898. He served in the Nile Expedition in 1898, taking part in the battles of the Atbara and Khartoum (Medal and Egyptian Medal with 2 clasps). He served in the South African War 1899-1900, taking part in the Relief of Ladysmith, including the actions of Colenso and Spion Kop, and operations in Cape Colony in 1899. Promoted to Captain in April 1900, he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 8 February and 10 September 1901); received the Queen’s Medal with 2 clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 27 September 1901) ‘in recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.’ The Insignia were presented by the King on 24 October 1902.

Meiklejohn was attached to the Devonshire Regiment at the battles of Colenso and Spion Kop, and is mentioned in a despatch for his gallantry at Colenso, as related in The Bloody Eleventh, by W. J. P. Aggett, Volume 2:

‘... I desire to bring especially to your notice the behaviour of Lieut. Meiklejohn (R. Warwickshire attached) who, together with Captain Radcliffe carried a board from a farmhouse under heavy fire to bring in a wounded man. The man was reached when Capt. Radcliffe was shot down whereupon Lieut. Meiklejohn dragged him and the man into cover and returned to his post...’ According to his obituary it was this act that resulted in the award of the D.S.O. ‘for conspicuous gallantry at the battle of Colenso.’

Captain Meiklejon passed the Staff College and was appointed Staff Captain, Naval Base, Cape Colony District, from June 1904 to May 1906. He was Staff Captain, Coastal Defence, Eastern Command, May 1906 to June 1908; D.A.A. and Q.M.G., Coastal Defence, Scottish Command, April 1910 to April 1914; was promoted Major on 6 April 1914.

Major Meiklejohn went to Flanders with the 1st Warwicks as second-in-command but was wounded on 26 August 1914, just outside the village of Haucourt (battle of Le Cateau) by a shrapnel bullet, which passed through the front of his foot, breaking three bones. He was taken to the village church, which was full of wounded, but, unknown to these men, our troops evacuated the village during the night, and soon after dawn the Germans occupied it. Meiklejohn was captured along with the other wounded, and was sent by train to Germany, arriving at Brunswick on 6 September. His subsequent travails at the hands of the Germans until his eventual internment in Switzerland in May 1916 are told in his own words in his highly detailed debriefing account given at Rossinieres on 19 September 1916 (copy sold with Lot, 10 pp).

Repatriated after the war, Meiklejohn was employed under the Admiralty, 5 April 1918 to 20 January 1919. He was appointed as G.S.O. 2nd Grade, with the Northern Russia Expeditionary Force from 21 January 1919 (St Anne, 2nd Class with swords, and St Vladimir, 3rd Class with swords - both awards confirmed in War Office list, 16 July 1921). After being attached to the Finnish Military Mission in 1921, he was employed for the next six years in the Foreign Service in the Baltic States as an intelligence officer. He died at Cley, Norfolk, on 4 November 1949.

Meklejohn’s diaries from the Sudan Campaign and from the Boer War are held by the National Army Museum Templer Study Centre, Chelsea (Meiklejohn Papers, Ref. 7404/36). See also ‘Our Man in Reval’ by C. G. McKay, Intelligence and National Security, Vol. 9 (1994), No. 1, pp. 88-111. Utilising materials from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the author of this piece examines Meiklejohn’s supply of information to London and Stockholm in 1921 regarding events in Soviet Russia and regarding the alleged Bolshevik subversion and intrigue directed against British imperial interests.