Queen's South Africa Medal. Silver issue, with 5 x clasps 'Cape Colony', 'Orange Free State', 'Transvaal', 'South Africa 1901' & 'South Africa 1902' (Captn J. Paton, A: & S: Hdrs:)

Fourth clasp attached by unofficial rivets, and fairly typical for this particular campaign medals and the respective later issued dated 'South Africa' clasps

Medals and Clasps Verification: The medal and all 5 x clasps confirmed as entitled per below cited medal roll of the 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and cited references:

- QSA 3 x State Clasps: WO 100/206 signed 'Eerste-Fabrieken 26/02/02 medal issued 15/10/1902
- 2 x Date Clasps: WO 100/206 supplementary page dated 26/11/1902, OC 2/Vol Sv Co A. & S.H.

Reference: Kinross-Shire Advertiser issue of, 3 May 1902, contains a long article - titled 'Return of Volunteers / Argyll and Sutherland Regiment' - pertaining to the return of the en of 2nd Volunteer Service Company's of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The 2nd serving in South Africa 1901-1902, the article mentions that Captain J. Paton

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Captain James Paton, who went out in command of the company, has got a Staff appointment, and remains out in South Africa.

Unquote.

Reference 'Records of the Scottish Volunteer Force, 1859-1908 (Major-General James Moncrieff Grierson, 1909), under the chapter on the 3rd (Renfrewshire) Volunteer Battalion, Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) the author shows:

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Forty-six members of the battalion served actively in the South African War. Of these, 14 men served in the 1st, Captain J. Paton and 11 men in the 2nd, and 8 men in the 3rd Volunteer Service Company of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Unquote.

The recipient, John Paton, was a Volunteer Officer, of the 3rd (Renfrewshire) Volunteer Battalion, Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) and served in South Africa as Officer Commanding 2nd Volunteer Service Company, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, attached to 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

The recipients promotions and appointments as a Volunteer Officer are summarised below:

- 25 May 1889: John Paton, gentleman to be Second Lieutenant, 1st Dumbartonshire VRC

- 22 Feb 1890: Second Lieutenant J Paton to be Lieutenant, 1st Dumbartonshire VRC

- 21 Mar 1891: Lieutenant J Paton to be Captain, 1st Dumbartonshire VRC

- 13 Nov 1895: Captain J Paton formerly of the 1st Dumbartonshire VRC appointed Captain 3rd (Renfrewshire) VB, Princess Louise's (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders)

- 05 Mar 1904: Supernumerary Captain & Honorary Major (Honorary Captain in the Army absorbed into the Establishment of 3rd (Renfrewshire) VB, Princess Louise's A&SH

- 09 Apr 1904: Resigned commission, with permission to retain rank etc

Condition: GVF

Code: 24744