Queen's South Africa Medal. Silver issue with 3 x clasps 'Cape Colony', 'Orange Free State' & 'Transvaal' (4356 Pte R. Hair, 1st Cam'n: Highrs:)

The recipient served with 'D' Company 1st Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, and attained a Mounted Infantry Certificate (Bulford Camp), 3 May 1904

Medal(s) and Clasps Verification: The recipient's entitlement to the 3 x clasp QSA, together with a King's South Africa Medal with both date clasps is confirmed per the respective campaign medal rolls referenced below:

- QSA Medal & 3 clasps: WO 100/204 signed in-the-field, Pretoria, South Africa, on 12/10/1901
- KSA Medal with 2 x dated clasps: WO 100/304 medal roll compiled and signed at Fort George, Scotland, on 31 January 1903

Robert Hair, son of Margaret Hair, was a native of Bathgate, Linlithgowshire, Scotland, where he was born circa 1880. At the time of the compilation of the National Census for Scotland in 1891, Robert is recorded residing with his mother at their residence located at, 10 North Street, Bathgate, Linlithgowshire. Robert enlisted in the British Army at Bathgate, Scotland, on 16 February 1898. By trade a 'Labourer' he was 18 years 6 months of age. Robert was already a serving volunteer with his local volunteer battalion viz, 8th (Volunteer) Battalion Royal Scots. At the time of his attestation he indicated a preference for joining the Gordon Highlanders, which did not happen, as on the same day that he enlisted he was posted to the Regimental Depot of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders located at Inverness, Scotland. After completing his basic training, Robert was posted to the 2nd Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, and from which unit, on 3 September 1898, he deserted, while stationed at Aldershot, Hampshire, England. As a 'Deserted' he was publically listed as an 'Army Deserter', his service details being published in the 'Police Gazette' issue of 19 September 1899. In 1900, Robert was transferred to the 1st Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, and served with the 1/Camerons in the South African War. gagement were to be 7 x years 'With the Colours' & 5 x years with the 'Army Reserve'. On enlistment he was posted to the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, and after completion of his training was then posted to 1st Battalion Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. His record of service by location was:

- Home: 16/02/1898 - 21/10/1899 (1 year 243 days)
- Gibraltar: 22/10/1899 - 07/09/1900 (321 days)
- South Africa: 08/09/1900 - 15/02/1906 ( 2 years 128 days)
- Home: 11/10/1902 - 15/02/1905 (39 days)
- Home (Army Reserve): 16/02/1905 - 15/02/1910 (5 years)

On 16 November 1904, while serving in Ireland, Robert married Helen Groome at Dublin. After taking his final discharge from the British Army, Robert and Helen settled at Armadale, Midlothian, Scotland. Robert Hair is recorded to have died at 23 North Street, Armadale, on 11 August 1959, and his body was interred at the Glasgow Road Cemetery, Bathgate, on, 14 August 1959

The recipients service papers are extant and accessible at The National Archives

Condition: GVF

Code: 24750