TOPIC:

From the next City Coins auction, November 2020

QSA (6) CC, TugH, OFS, RoL, Tvl, L Nek (Capt. A. Rattray. Scottish H.);
KSA (2) (Capt. A. Rattray. Scot. Horse)
Both medals impressed naming.

Andrew Rattray was the fifth son of John Rattray, Broom of Dalreoch, Dunning, Perthshire and one of three brothers that served in the Boer War. He enlisted in Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry in October 1899 and was slightly wounded at Colenso on 15 December 1899. After discharge he served from October 1900 in the Commander-in-Chief’s Bodyguard with the rank of Squadron- Sergeant-Major and finally with the 1st Scottish Horse as Lieutenant (July 1901) and Captain (April 1902).

He was slightly wounded at Moedwil and mentioned for gallantry on the same occasion. (LG 3 December 1901, p8547).

His QSA was issued in June 1905 off the roll of Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry in the rank of Private. As recorded on the relevant roll, he returned the medal and it was officially re-named and re-issued in October 1905 with the rank as Captain and the unit as Scottish Horse. He resigned his commission after the war, thereafter, spending some time in the Argentine, and finally settled in Kenya, where he became a renowned hunter. On his farm outside Nairobi, he domesticated zebra, which he sent all over the world to zoos; he also fought a leopard to death with his bare hands. With one hand he clutched the leopard’s throat, and the other he thrust into the beast’s mouth in an effort to suffocate him.

This he managed to do but he was severely mauled in the process. His devoted native servants carried him over two hundred miles to Nairobi, where he received lengthy, but successful, medical treatment.

Andrew became the white hunter to Lord Furness, shipping magnate and colliery owner. The Viscount’s young daughter, The Hon Averill Furness, fell in love with the fifty-year old hunter, and they were secretly married. Lord Furness was furious and disinherited her.

It was said that that he sent a message that the couple could “go to hell”.

Soon afterwards a message was dropped from a plane saying, “We have gone to heaven”.

The couple lived together in the bush until Andrew suddenly became ill and died. He was fifty-one: his wife was twenty-four. The story goes that Averill subsequently secluded herself alone in the bush and drank herself to an early death. The incident is recorded in detail by Gloria Vanderbilt in her book Double Exposure.

From today's City Coins auction, 27 November 2020

QSA (4) CC, OFS, Tvl, SA01 (29111 Tpr. G. Duns. Scottish Horse)

George Duns, a 22-year-old Architect/Surveyor, enlisted in the Scottish Horse on 20 February 1901. The unit suffered extensive casualties at Bakenlaagte: out of a total of 79 officers and men engaged on the ridge by the guns 33 were killed or died of wounds and 40 were wounded.

Duns was one of the men killed.

He is interred in the Primrose cemetery, Germiston.

Noble Numismatics are relisting the QSA to 26333 Trooper H Grey, Scottish Horse ( www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...scottish-horse#68447 ). This was listed last year with an estimate of AUD 1,500 and did not sell. The estimate is now AUD 1,000.

Picture courtesy of Noble Numismatics

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1902, South Africa 1901 (in that order) (40142 Tpr: W.H.Triggs. Scottish Horse. )

William Henry Triggs served in 2nd Scottish Horse from 24 Jan 1902 until Discharged 6 Jul 1902 on disbandment of unit. Recorded at the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre.

In The Age, Melbourne newspaper on Monday 11 August 1902, page 8, it was reported that W.H.Triggs was a member of the Fitzroy Rifle Club shooting team and that he, along with his fellow team member, J.Talmage, had recently returned from South Africa where they had been drafted into the ranks of the Scottish Horse for service in the Boer War. Both had been warmly welcomed back by the club and congratulated on their good records and safe return.

The QSA to 26333 Trooper H Grey, Scottish Horse sold this morning for a hammer price of Au$1,500. Totals: £973. R20,000. Au$1,830. Can$1,690. US$1,350

QSA (1) Transvaal (749 Tpr: C. W. Stewart 1st Scottish Horse.), suspension re-affixed.

Charles Walley Stewart was born at Edinburgh in 1867 and was a plumber also serving in the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion, Royal Scots, upon joining the Royal Scots on 12 January 1900, with regimental number 8171. He was discharged in South Africa to enable him to join the Scottish Horse on 7 April 1901, with whom he served until 20 June 1902. Stewart intended to live at 21 Scotland Street, Edinburgh upon his return home.

Stewart was wounded at Moedwil 30 September 1901.