Description
QSA, 2 bars, Laing’s Nek, Belfast, KSA, 2 bars, WW1 British War and Victory Medal Pair, WW2 Defence Medal, Private A. Dingwall, Gordon Highlanders later Royal Highlanders aka Black Watch.
Confirmed on the medal roll, good combination of 2 “Battle Clasps” earned with the 2nd Bn Gordon Highlanders in the Boer War.
QSA officially impressed: 6527 Pte A. Dingwall. Gordon Highrs.
KSA officially impressed: 6527 Pte A. Dingwall. Gordon Highrs.
WW1 Pair officially impressed: S-20926 Pte A. Dingwall. R. Highrs.”
Defence Medal unnamed as issued.
Original silk ribbons on all medals.
Strathearn Herald, 3rd November 1917 recalls his WW1 wound:
“DUNNING MAN WOUNDED
Mrs Dingwall, Newton of Pitcairns, has received intimation from the war office that her Husband, Private Archibald Dingwall, of the Black Watch, has been severely wounded in action in France by a gunshot in the leg and.
he has been sent to this country, and is in hospital in Devonport.
He joined up earlier this year, and has only been about a *** in France.
Private Dingwall is an experienced Soldier, and was for 13 years in the Regular Army, he having fought through the South African War and was also for a few years in India.”
Archibald Fair Dingwall, was born in Forgandenny, Perthshire Scotland, on 13th August 1880.
The son of David Dingwall and Mary Ann (Fair), his father was a Gamekeeper and seems to have worked and lived with his Father in Law, of similar profession.
He grew up in Forgandenny, shown on the 1881 Census as a newborn baby, living with Archibald Fair, his 80 year old Grandfather at the Wood Foot Condie in Forgandenny, his Grandfather being a “Wood Forester and Farmer of 7 Acres.”
He received a local education in the school at the “Path of Condie”.
During the Boer War as a young man he served throughout with the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders.
Being present at the Battle of Bergendahl aka Belfast on 21-27th August 1900 followed by “Laing’s Nek” for service employed on operations from 2nd to 9th June 1900.
Returning to service during World War 1, he earned his Pair of the British War and Victory Medal serving with the 9th Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), the 9th Bn saw extensive service in France during the war.
He died in Tibbermore, Perthshire during 1951.
“DINGALL – At Low’s Work, Almondbank, on April 16th 1951, Archibald Fair Dingwall, beloved husband of Agnes W. Reid. Funeral Private, no flowers or letters please.” – Dundee Courier, 17th April 1951.
Some of the just before WW2 adventures of his son, recounted in the local Perthshire Advertiser, 1st March 1939:
“HOME ON LEAVE FROM IRAQ
PERTH YOUNG MAN WHO PREFERRED RAF TO THE COUNTER
Mr James Dingwall, who 5 years ago left Almondbank to join the RAF, will this week return to his home on leave after serving as an RAF Police Corporal in Iraq.
At the age of 16, “Jimmy” left Balhousie Boys’ School and began working for a local grocery firm. According to his mother, Mrs. Low, who resides at Work Cottages in Almondbank, his prospects didn’t seem bright enough. Therefore, at the age of 19, he joined the R.A.F., eventually rising to the rank of leading aircraftsman and later a corporal.
His return this week is eagerly anticipated, as it has been three years since he was last in Almondbank. During this time, he has been stationed in distant locations such as Baghdad, Mosul, and Shaibah. Despite the distance, he has stayed connected to local affairs through the bi-weekly receipt of the “P.A.” It’s a small world indeed, as he recently encountered another Almondbank native while serving in Baghdad. This individual turned out to be Mr. Donald Stewart, the son of a local shop manager.
Corporal Jimmy was born in Fordandenny.”
A further notice on 28th October 1942, which surely gave him and his wife a sigh of relief:
“ALMONDBANK MAN SAFE
MR and MRS Archibald Dingwall, of Low’s Work Cottages, Almondbank, who had been notified that their youngest son, Lance Corporal D. Dingwall, R.A.O.C. was reported as missing at Tobruk on 26th June 1942, received a cable from him at the weekend saying that he is safe and had been in hospital.
Before joining up, L/CPL Dingwall was an employee of Perth Co-Operative Society.”
