Queens South Africa Medal. Silver issue with 6 x clasps 'Cape Colony', 'Paardeberg', 'Driefontein', Johannesburg' & 'Belfast' & 'South Africa 1901' (1653 Pte. W. Lomax, Gordon Highrs:)

Casualty 'Struck by 'Lightning': Private William Lomax 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders is confirmed being injured by 'lightning' in-the field at, Belfast, South Africa, on, 31 January 1901 (the South African Field Force casualty list refers)

Medal and clasps verification: The QSA and all 6 x clasps confirmed as entitled per the respective campaign medal roll of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, reference WO 100/203, compiled and signed in-the-field at, Pretoria, South Africa, on, 23 August 1901 (for first 5 x clasps). A supplementary page in the same medal roll, for the dated clasp 'South Africa 1901', compiled and signed at, Glasgow, Scotland, on, 17 March 1903. This latter with remark 'To 2nd Battalion'. This confirmed as the recipient's only named campaign medal issued during his military service

William Lomax, a native of Leith, Edinburgh Scotland, was 18 years of age when he enlisted for the British Army at, Edinburgh, Scotland, on, 10 October 1884. Prior to joining the British Army, he had been employed as a 'Labourer', and cited having been a serving member of the 3rd (Militia) Battalion Royal Scots. On enlistment he was posted to the Gordon Highlanders and given the regimental number '1653'. His military services 1884-1901 included:

- Home: 10/11/1884 - 14/12/1886
- Malta: 15/12/1886 - 13/11/1888
- Ceylon: 14/11/1888 - 06/01/1892
- India: 07/01/1892 - 01/05/1892
- Home: 02/05/1892 - 15/12/1899
- South Africa: 16/12/1899 - 10/11/1901
- Home: 11/11/ 1901 - 12/11/1901

William Lomax re-enlisted in the British Army on 2 x further occasions. Firstly on, 12 June 1902, he joined the Royal Garrison Regiment, and was given the regimental number '5244'. With the 5th Battalion Royal Garrison Regiment he served overseas in Halifax (Nova Scotia) and later in Canada for several years between 1 October 1902 - 14 November 1905. He took his discharge form the Royal Garrison Regiment at Aberdeen, Scotland, in November 1905. Secondly, he re-enlisted for 'Duration of War' on, 'Home Service' during the Great War, in which he served with his old corps, the Gordon Highlanders, between, 11 December 1914 to 24 February 1919. At the time of his last enlistment, when he was given the regimental number, S/8028, he was 47 years and 182 days of age! At the time of taking his final discharge from the British Army in 1919, his future intended place of residence was his family home located at, 11 South St. James Street, Edinburgh, Scotland

In spite of his many long years of military service, and evidently a 'Patriot', William Lomax was the holder of just one medal!

The recipient's service papers - a very detailed set - are extant and are held & accessible at The National Archives

Gordon Highlanders 1899-1902: The Gordon Highlanders had the distinction of being the most decorated infantry regiment of the British Army for their service during the South African War, where both regular battalions (and several Volunteer Service Companies) earned the below following battle honours, as well as 6 x Victoria Crosses

- Defence of Ladysmith (2/Gordons)
- Paardeberg (1/Gordons)
- South Africa 1899-1902

- Captain Matthew Fontaine Maury Meiklejohn (2/Gordons, for Elandslaagte, 1899)
- Sergeant-Major William Robertson ( 2/Gordons, for Elandslaagte, 1899)
- Captain Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith Towse (1/Gordons, for Magersfontein, 1899)
- Lance-Corporal John Frederick Mackay (1/Gordons, for Crows Nest Hill, nr Johannesburg, 1900)
- Captain William Eagleson Gordon (1/Gordons, for action nr Krugersdorp, 1900)
- Captain David Reginald Younger (1/Gordons, for action nr Krugersdorp, 1900 - a posthumous award)

Sold together with hardcopy photocopied extract entry pages from the respective campaign medal roll

A fairly scarce seen 6 x multi-clasp Queen's South Africa Medal named to the Gordon Highlanders

Condition: VF

Code: 23479