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QSA Died of Wounds Gordon Highrs Mounted Infy

£895.00

Queen’s South Africa Medal, 5 bars, 6091 Corporal J. McLeod, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Mounted Infantry. Died of Wounds near Graspan, 6th June 1901, with the notable Mounted Infantry Company.

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SKU: J7300 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
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Description

Queen’s South Africa Medal, 5 bars, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Belfast, 6091 Corporal J. McLeod, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Mounted Infantry.

 

Officially impressed: “6091 Cpl J. Mcleod, Gordon Highrs:”

 

Died of Wounds near Graspan, 6th June 1901, with the notable Mounted Infantry Company, shortly afterwards the Mounted Infantry would be commended by Lord Kitchener where he noted they “behaved with great gallantry”, following the action where they had been despatched to capture a convoy. Lieutenant Cameron was mentioned in Despatches and Lieutenant White was awarded the DSO for “Having been taken prisoner, stripped, escaped, ran 6 miles and brought up reinforcements”, also Sergeant Sutherland would be awarded the D.C.M. for his great courage and example.

 

A summary of the gallant services of the Mounted Infantry Company, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, from Angloboerwar.com section on the Gordon Highlanders:

 

“The Mounted Infantry company of the battalion was with Colonel De Lisle when that officer was assisting to drive the enemy out of Cape Colony in January and February 1901, and they were also with him when acting under General Elliot in the north-east of the Orange River Colony, May to July 1901.

 

On 5th June Major Sladen (East Yorkshire Regiment) marched to Graspan, near Reitz, to intercept a convoy.

 

The laager was found in the early morning of the 6th and captured, 45 prisoners being taken. Major Sladen sent back 40 men to inform Colonel De Lisle.
About noon 500 Boers under Fourie, Delarey, and De Wet made a determined attempt to recapture the convoy.

 

During the close fighting which ensued the Boers succeeded in removing some of the captured waggons, which were parked outside the position, but failed to make any impression on the defence". In his telegram of 15th June Lord Kitchener said the Mounted Infantry "behaved with great gallantry".

 

Reinforcements arrived at three, and the enemy retired in haste, and were pursued, the waggons being taken again.

 

The Gordons lost Lieutenant Cameron and 10 men killed and 10 wounded.
Lieutenant Cameron was mentioned in despatches.
Lieutenant White got the DSO for "having been taken prisoner, and stripped, escaped, ran six miles, and brought up reinforcements".
Sergeant Sutherland got the distinguished conduct medal for preventing the escape of 40 prisoners, although the enemy was within ten yards and he severely wounded in bringing in a comrade.
Four others of the little band were mentioned for great courage and example.

 

The sorrows of horsemanship had not affected the Highlanders' pluck. A few other mentions were picked up in the latter phases of the war. In the supplementary or final despatch 7 officers and 6 non-commissioned officers of the Gordons were mentioned, but these embraced both battalions.”