An 'Inveresk' man's Victorian North West Frontier of India and South African War campaign pair: Private James Pendrigh (alias Porteous) 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders

- IGS 1895. 'Relief of Chitral 1895' (3024 Pte J. Pendrigh, Gordon Highrs:)
- Queen's South Africa Medal. 'Cape Colony' (3024 Pte. J. Pendrigh, Gordon Highrs:)

Important: Both medals and clasps confirmed as entitled on the respective campaign medal rolls of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders. Additionally the recipient was also entitled to the 'South Africa 1901' clasp, however whether that later loose lasp was ever physically issued or received by the recipient is unknown - and opine unlikely - as he had already migrated to South Africa before the latter medal roll entry had been compiled at Glasgow on, 17 March 1903. The respective medal rolls of the Gordon Highlanders are cited below:

- IGS Medal 1895 'Relief of Chitral 1895': WO 100/78 (forename initial 'W')
- QSA Medal & clasp 'Cape Colony': WO 100/203. Compiled Pretoria 23 March 1901
- Clasp 'South Africa 1901': WO 100/203 dated Glasgow 17/03/1901 remark 'To Army Reserve'

(ref WO 100/78 (for IGS) & WO 100/182 (QSA))

James Pendrigh (alias James Porteous) son of George Pendrigh (1834-1867, a former Trooper in the 6th Dragoon Guards who held the Indian Mutiny Medal with clasp 'Lucknow') & Mary Porteous was a native of Inveresk, Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland, where he was born on, 18 September 1867. By occupation, 'Labourer' he lied and claimed to be only 18 years & 6 months of age, when he enlisted for service with the British Army, at Edinburgh, Scotland, 7 August 1888. At the time of his attestation he cited being a member of the 3rd (Militia) Battalion Royal Scots. On the same day he was enlisted he was posted to the Gordon Highlanders, where he trained at the Regimental Depot located in Aberdeen, being posted to 2/Gordons on, 16 November 1888. On, 25 January 1891, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, with which battalion he subsequently served in Ceylon Colony and in British India, seeing active service at the Relief of Chitral during 1895. He transferred to the Army Reserve on, 6 February 1896. Recalled to Army Service on, 9 October 1899, he rejoined his old corps, and subsequently served overseas during the South African War. He took his final discharge from the British Army on, 6 August 1901

The recipient's record of service was:

- Home: 07/08/1888 - 28/12/1890
- Ceylon Colony: 29/12/1890 - 03/01/1892
- British India: 04/01/1893 - 31/01/1896
- Home: 01/02/1896 - 08/11/1899
- South Africa: 09/11/1899 - 17/07/1901
- Home: 18/07/1901 - 19/07/1901 (statement of services shows end date was, 6 August 1901)

James's notified next of kin was recorded in his service papers was his mother, mother, Mary Pendrigh, who resided at, 7 High Street, Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. After leaving the British Army, James returned to South Africa post-war, together with his wife and young family,where he took up residence and worked as a 'Bank Messenger & Caretaker (Standard Bank). James Pendrigh is recorded to have died at, East London, Cape Province, South Africa, on, 29 February 1924. See the Ancestry genealogical website for family tree and biographical research, including photographs of James Pendrigh

The recipients service papers are extant and accessible at The National Archives, where they are filed on-line under the alias 'James Porteous'

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, Elandslaagte, 1899)
- Sergeant-Major William Robertson ( 2/Gordons, Elandslaagte, 1899)
- Captain Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith Towse (1/Gordons, Magersfontein, 1899)
- Lance-Corporal John Frederick Mackay (1/Gordons, Crows Nest Hill, nr Jo'burg, 1900)
- Captain William Eagleson Gordon (1/Gordons,nr Krugersdorp, 1900)
- Captain David Reginald Younger (1/Gordons, nr Krugersdorp, 1900 -posthumous)

Sold together with hard copy extract pages from the respective IGS 1895 and QSA medal rolls

Condition: About GVF

Code: 23514