A 'Garvald, Haddington', Jock's South African War campaign medal pair: Private William Graham, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders late 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders

- QSA Medal. 'Cape Colony' 'Laing's Nek' 'Belfast (1864 Pte. W. Graham, Gordon Highrs:)
- King's South Africa. 'South Africa 01' 'South Africa 02' (1864 Pte. P. Graham, Gordon Highrs:)

The KSA medal with forename initial 'P' (sic) - exactly as transcribed from the medal roll which had a clerical error at time of compilation. The surname Graham being entered on his service papers variously as Grahame & Graham!

Note: The recipient had the distinction of serving in both of the regular battalions of the Gordon Highlanders in-the-field during the South African War

Both medals and all 5 x clasps verified per the respective medal rolls of the 1st 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)

Cape Colony clasp: Is an uncommon 'state clasp' to 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders - the medal roll with remark opposite the recipient's entry 'Came out with draft and did duty at Capetown 8 days)

William Graham son of James Graham (Agricultural Labourer) & Jane Graham (nee Smith) was a native of, Garvald, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland, where he was born, 7 April 1864. Prior to Joining the British Army, he was employed as a 'Gardener'. William enlisted in the British Army at, Edinburgh, Scotland, on, 8 October 1885, and on the same day was posted to the Gordon Highlanders. William completed his first engagement with the British Army on, 7 October 1897, by which date he had completed 12 years service 'With the Colours' & on the 'Army Reserve'. 2 x days after taking his discharge he re-signed for service under the 'Special Army Reserve', and was subsequently mobilized for 'War Service' on, 13 February 1900, and posted to his old corps, for service with 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders. During his second period of service with the Gordon Highlanders, he served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa, from 28 February 1902 until being transferred to the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders on, 1 December 1901 (the Gordon Highlanders having the distinction of having both regular battalions of the regiment serving in the South African War. William Graham took his final discharge from the British Army on, 14 July 1902

The recipient's record of service was:

- Home: 08/10/1885 - 14/12/1886
- Malta: 15/12/1886 - 13/11/1888
- Ceylon Colony: 14/11/1888 - 03/01/1892
- British India: 04/01/1893 - 23/01/1894
- Home: 24/01/1894 - 07/10/1897
- Home (Special Army Reserve) 09/10/1897-27/02/1900
- South Africa: 28/02/1900 - 13/04/1902
- Home: 14/04/1902 - 14/07/1902

William's notified next of kin recorded in his service papers was his father James Graham, residing at, Aberlady, Haddington, Midlothian, Scotland

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 set of recipients service papers & extract pages from the respective QSA & KSA medal rolls

Condition: GVF

Code: 23510