A 'Perth' Jock's South African War campaign medal pair: Private James Barbour, 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders

- QSA: 'Defence of Ladysmith' 'Laing's Nek' & 'Belfast (6053 Pte. J. Barbour, Gordon Highrs:)
- KSA Medal. 2 x clasps 'SA 01' 'SA 02' (6053 Pte. J. Barbour, Gordon Highrs:)

Medals and clasps verification: Both medals and all 5 x clasps verified per the respective medal rolls of the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders, as under;

- QSA Medal & 3 x clasps: Ref WO 100/203, the roll compiled & signed in-the field, at Pietersburg, South Africa, 15 July 1901
- KSA Medal & 2 x clasps: Ref WO 100/343, the roll compiled & signed at Sialkot, Punjab, British India, 6 April 1903

James Barbour, second son of Robert Barbour (an 'Engine Fitter') and Martha Barbour (nee Grieve) was a native of, Perth, Perthshire, where he was born circa 1875 (the 1881 & 1891 Census returns refer). The 1891 National Census for Scotland, records James employed as a 'Warehouse Porter' and residing with his parents at, 164 Crookston Street, Kinning Park, Govan, Glasgow, Scotland. Prior to Joining the British Army, he was employed as a 'Grocer'. James enlisted in the British Army at, Glasgow, Scotland, on, 25 June 1877, and on the same day was posted to the Gordon Highlanders. Prior to joining the regular army, James had been serving as a volunteer with his local infantry volunteer battalion, vis
1st Volunteer Battalion Highland Light Infantry. At time of enlistment his age was, 22 years & 4 months. By the time he took his final discharge from the British Army on, 24 June 1909, he had served a total of 12 years service both 'With the Colours' & on the Army Reserve', including 2 years & 100 days 'Active Service' during the South African War, between, 24 September 1899 to 1 January 1901. During his service, James was awarded a third, second and firstclass certificate in education, as well as passing classes in instruction in 'Ambulance Drill'

The recipient's record of service was:

- Home: 25/06/1897 - 05/09/1898
- British India: 06/09/1898 - 23/09/1899
- South Africa: 24/09/1899 - 01/01/1902
- British India: 02/01/1902 - 15/02/1903
- Home: 16/02/1903 - 24/06/1909

The recipient's notified next of kin recorded in his service papers was his father, Robert Barbour (Snr) residing at, 164 Crookston Street, Glasgow, Scotland, together with the name of the recipient's his elder brother Robert Barbour (Jnr)

The recipients service papers are extant and 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 hard copy extract pages from the respective QSA & KSA medal rolls, and cover page from the recipients service papers

Condition: VF

Code: 23507