A 'Montrose' man's South African War campaign medal pair: Private James Gouck, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders

- QSA Medal. 'Cape Colony' 'Orange Free State' 'Belfast (1906 Pte. J. Gouck, Gordon Highrs:)
- King's South Africa Medal. 'South Africa 01' 'South Africa 02' (1906 Pte. A. Gouck, Gordon Highrs:)

Note: The KSA medal with forename initial A (sic) - exactly as transcribed from the medal roll which had a clerical error at time of compilation

Medals and clasps verification: 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) compiled and signed in-the-field at, Pretoria South Africa, on, 23 August 1901
- KSA Medal & 2 x clasps (ref WO 100/343) compiled and signed at Glasgow, Scotland, on, 10 November 1902

James Gouck, son of William Gouck (a 'Mill Worker')d next of kin was residing at, 22 Hanford Road, Hawkhill, Dundee, Scotland) & Gouck (nee) was a native of, Montrose, Forfarshire, Scotland, where he was born circa 1867. Prior to Joining the British Army, he was employed as a Labourer. At the age of 18 years, James enlisted in the British Army at, Aberdeen, Scotland, on, 29 October 1895, 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, viz 3rd (Militia) Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). By the time he took his final discharge on, 14 July 1902, he had accumulated a total of 16 years 259 days service both 'With the Colours' & on the Army Reserve', including 2 years & 35 days 'War Service' during the South African War, between ,7 June 1900 to 11 July 1902

The recipient's record of service was:

- Home: 30/10/1885 - 14/12/1886 (Pat records show service from 29 October)
- 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 - 06/06/1900
- South Africa: 07/06/1900 - 11/07/1902
- Home: 12/07/1902 - 14/07/1902

James's notified next of kin was recorded in his service papers was his father William Gouck, residing at, 22 Hanford Road, Hawkhill, Dundee, 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: About GVF

Code: 23511