Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue with clasp 'Cape Colony' 'Paardeberg' 'Driefontein' & 'Wittebergen' (3959 Pte J. Robertson 2:R.Highrs)
Wounded-in-Action Magersfontein: Private James Robertson 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) was 'Wounded-in-Action' at the Battle of Magersfontein on, 11 December 1899, per below references:
1. 'Dundee Courier' newspaper issue of 18 December 1899, for full listings of Black Watch casualties including places of origins in Scotland (3959 Robertson shown as Perth)
2. South African War Casualty Roll: South African Field Force 11th Oct. 1899-June 1902 (J.B. Hayward & Son, 1982)
Black Week for the Black Watch: After having disembarked at Cape Town, Cape Colony on, 13 November 1899, 2/Black Watch were brigaded with the 1st Highland Light Infantry, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, and 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, to form the 3rd or 'Highland Brigade' under command of Major General Wauchope - a Black Watch officer
For 2/Black Watch their baptism of fire during the South African War took place less than a month after they had landed in the Cape. On 11 December 1899, 2/Black Watch, led the advance of the Highland Brigade at Magersfontein - with Major General Wauchope being shot dead in the opening volleys of well aimed mauser rifle shot that pured into the advancing Highlanders - the highlanders attack being stalled and ultimately repelled by the Boers
The British loses at Magersfontein are estimated to have been 22 x officers and 188 x other ranks killed; 46 x officers and 629 x other ranks wounded, and 1 x officer and 62 x other ranks missing. Of this, the Highland Brigade suffered losses of 747 x all-ranks killed, wounded, and missing. Among the individual battalions, 2/Black Watch suffered the most severely, with losses, killed, wounded & missing, being an estimated 303 x all-ranks
Medal(s) & Clasps Verification: Medal and all 4 x clasps confirmed as entitled per the respective medal roll of the 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). In addition the recipient was entitled to a further 'Transvaal' clasp and a King's South Africa Medal with 2 x date clasps as below referenced:
- QSA with 4 clasps 'CC, Pa, Dr, Wit': WO 100/190 dated Ladybrand, South Africa 09/09/1901
- QSA clasp 'Transvaal': WO 100/190. Dated, 10/06/1903
- KSA with 2 x date clasps: WO 100/334
Whether the recipient was ever issued, and or, received the later 'Transvaal' clasp for his QSA is not known - the medal offered being exactly as issu
James Robertson, son of James Robertson (a 'Shoemaker' 1846-1874) & Emily Robertson was a native of Perth, Scotland, where he was born on, 8 October 1871. While James was a 'scholar' the family residence was located at, 212 South Street, Perth (1881 National Census for Scotland refers). By trade a 'Baker', James was 18 years of age when he enlisted for the British Army at, Perth, Scotland, on, 11 October 1889, being posted the same day to the Regimental Depot of the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), where he joined his local regiment. His terms of engagement were 7 years 'With the Colours' and 5 years in the Army Reserve, during which time he served home and abroad as under:
- Home: 11/10/1899 - 06/03/1891 (1 year 147 days)
- Gibraltar: 07/03/1891 - 04/10/96 - 27/01/1893 (1 year 327 days)
- Egypt: 28/01/1893 - 03/03/1893 (35 days)
- South Africa: 04/03/1893 - 17/02/1896 (2 years 351 days)
- India: 18/02/1896 - 20/01/1898 (1 year 337 days)
- Home: 21/01/1898 - 21/10/1899 (1 year 274 days)
- South Africa: 22/10/1899 - 12/09/1902 (2 years 326 days)
- Home: 13/09/1902 -15/09/1902 (3 days)
In total James Robertson accumulated 12 years 340 days reckonable service toward pension. In 1907, James Robertson married Annie Baker at Perth. James is recorded to have died at Perth, Scotland, sometime in 1917
In total James Robertson accumulated 12 years 340 days reckonable service toward pension. In 1907, James Robertson married Annie Baker at Perth. James is recorded to have died at Perth, Scotland, sometime in 1917
The recipients service papers are extant and accessible at The National Archives
A fine example of a 'Black Week / Magersfontein' Highland Brigade casualty
Condition: Toned GVF
Code: 24747