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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (6) Cape Colony, Elandslaagte, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (Capt: C. W. McD. Findlay. Gordon Highrs) engraved naming;
KSA (2) (Capt. C. W. McD. Findlay. Gord. Hgrs.) engraved naming

Charles William McDiarmid Findlay was born in Edinburgh in October 1872 and was educated at Fettes. Commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders in May 1895, he was advanced to Lieutenant in November 1897 and to Captain in July 1900. At the outbreak of hostilities in South Africa, he was Transport Officer of the 2nd Battalion, an appointment he retained until he was severely wounded at Elandslaagte on 21 October 1899. By the time he had sufficiently recovered to rejoin the Battalion, it was under siege in Ladysmith, and he consequently joined the column sent to relieve that place.

During his time with the Relief Force, Findlay was present in the action at Colenso; the operations of 17 to 24 February 1900; the action at Spion Kop; the operations of 5-7 February; the action at Vaal Kranz; the operations on the Tugela Heights from 14-27 February; and the action at Pieter’s Hill. Attached to the Volunteer Ambulance Corps for much of this time, he was Mentioned in Despatches by Sir Redvers Buller, V.C.

On rejoining the 2nd Battalion, Findlay resumed his duties as Transport Officer and was present at the actions at Belfast on 26 and 27 August 1900, and at Lydenberg between 5 and 8 September, having previously been present in the fighting around Laing’s Nek in June of that year. He was again Mentioned in Despatches for his services here, and for a third time in Lord Kitchener’s final despatch.

The two Elandslaagte groups sold at Noonan's on Wednesday.

Findlay, Captain C W McD, Gordon Highlanders, who was severely wounded at Elandslaagte, sold for a hammer price of GBP 1,400. Total GBP 1,803. R 39,560. AUD 3,300. NZD 3,590. CAD 3,010. USD 2,200. EUR 2,050

Yunge-Bateman, Major GM, RFA. Sold for a hammer price of GBP 650. Totals: GBP 837. R 18,370. AUD 1,530. NZD 1,670. CAD 1,400. USD 1,020. EUR 950

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS 1895 Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98, unofficial rivets between clasps (4087 Pte J. Onion. 1st. Bn. Devon: Regt.);
[ QSA (3) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Belfast ];
[ KSA (2) ]

John Onion was born in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, in 1871. A labourer by occupation, he attested for the Devonshire Regiment in 1895. Posted to the 1st Battalion he served with the Tirah Field Force 1897-98, before embarking for South Africa in September 1899 taking part in the actions at Elandslaagte, the Defence of Ladysmith, and Belfast. Claiming his discharge he transferred to the Reserve 1909, and later re-enlisted for service during the Great War in October 1914, but was discharged after seven days’ service suffering from epilepsy.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS 1895 (2) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98, unofficial rivets between clasps (4155 Pte. G. E. [sic] Thomas. 1st. Bn. Devon: Regt.);
QSA (3) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Belfast (4155 Pte. G. C. Thomas, Devon: Regt.);
KSA (2) (4155 Pte. G. C. Thomas. Devon: Regt.)

G. C. Thomas attested into the Devonshire Regiment and served in India with the 1st Battalion during the Punjab Frontier campaign of 1897-98. He further served in South Africa during the Boer War and was later discharged to the Army Reserve.

Noonan's say sold with copied medal roll extracts confirming clasp entitlement, excluding the award of the Tirah 1897-98 clasp, which is not confirmed and sold accordingly.