India General Service Medal 1895. Silver issue with 3 x clasps 'Relief of Chitral 1895', 'Punjab Frontier 1897-98' & 'Tirah 1897-98' (4132 Pte. J. Cowan. 1st Bn. Gord: Highrs)

Note: Second clasp attached by silver rings to lower clasp carriage in the regimental manner- and typical thus for 3 x clasp IGS 1895 medals issued to this regiment that include the clasp 'Relief of Chitral 1895'

Wounded-in-Action: Private Cowan, 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders is confirmed having been 'Wounded-in-Action' during the 'Defence of Ladysmith', Natal, South Africa, on, 6 January 1900

Died-of-Disease: Private Cowan subsequently confirmed died of disease, when he succumbed to 'Diarrhoea', at Ladysmith, on, 26 April 1900, while on campaign service in South Africa

Medal verification Medal and all 3 x clasps confirmed as entitled per the respective campaign medal roll of 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders (ref WO 100/78 - for Relief of Chitral - compiled and signed at Gharial, India, on 1 July 1896, and WO 100/89 - for the other clasps - this latter compiled and signed at Gharial, India, on 5 August 1898)

In addition to the IGS 1895, the recipient is also confirmed entitled to a single clasp QSA with clasp 'Defence of Ladysmith' per the respective campaign medal roll of 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders (reference WO 100/203), in which roll under the remarks column is the single word 'Deceased' opposite the soldiers name & medal clasp entitlement. Whether his single clasp QSA was ever sent to his nominated next of kin, or claimed by the NOK is unknown

The recipient was a native of Dundee, Scotland, who had enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders in 1892. He was most likely on the Army Reserve when the South African War broke-out, and on being re-called to 'The Colours' was posted to the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders

The Aberdeen Press & Journal newspaper issue of 1 May, 1900, contained the below following details:

Quote,

DEATH OF ANOTHER GORDON

News has been received of the death, at Ladysmith, of Private J. Cowan, of the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders. It is presumed that this is Private J. Cowan (4132), who was a native of Dundee, and enlisted at Hamilton on the, 10 February, 1892. His father resides in the Canongate, Edinburgh.

Unquote.

The medal is mounted-as worn in the swing-style, suspended form it's original silk riband. The riband suspended from a brass mounting bar retaining its two loop fittings and cotter pin attachment, nd as-worn by the recipient

Condition: GVF

Code: 22646