Queen's South Africa Medal. Silver issue with clasp 'Transvaal' (8332 Pte. J. Shirras. Gordon Highrs:)

Gordon Highlanders Volunteers: The recipient was not a regular soldier, but a volunteer, who prior to embarking for overseas service during the South African War, had been a part-time volunteer soldier, serving with the 5th Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders. QSA medals named to Gordon Highlander volunteers, were named in exactly the same style / designation as the QSA's awarded to the regular soldiers. The only way to differentiate a QSA medal to a Gordon Volunteer from a regular is that all QSA medals awarded to 'Volunteer' other-ranks of the Gordons, have their regimental numbers from a unique regimental block starting '8000', that was exclusively regimentally allocated to the men of the volunteer battalions of the Gordon Highlanders who volunteered and served overseas in South Africa with one of the Volunteer Service Company's of the Gordon Highlanders

Medal & Clasp(s) Verification: No. 8332 Private John Angus Shirras, Gordon Highlanders, is confirmed entitled to the respective campaign medal and respective clasp(s) per the regimental medal rolls referenced below:

- QSA Medal & clasp 'Transvaal': WO 100/203 roll dated Pietersburg, South Africa, 15/071901
- QSA 2 x date clasps: WO 100/203 supplementary page in same medal roll dated, Glasgow, 16/04/1903

Whether the date clasps were ever subsequently delivered to the recipient is unknown, the medal here being exactly as originally issued

Important: The recipient is shown in the supplementary edal roll page as being a member of the 3rd Volunteer Service Company of the Gordon Highlanders

James Angus Shirras, son of George Shirras (resident at Dunnottar Cottage, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire) was a native of the parish of Dunnottar, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, Scotland, where he was born circa, 1881. Employed as a 'Clerk' by trade, James was 20 years of age and already a serving 'Volunteer' with the 5th Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders, when on 4 February 1901, at Stonehaven, Scotland, he signed a 'Short Service' engagement of 'One Year With The Colours' so that he could proceed overseas to fight in the South African War. He subsequently served in South Africa between 16 March 1901 to 30 April 1902, a total of 1 year and 41 days overseas service

The recipients service papers are extant and are available from The National Archives

Sold together with a photocopied page containing several local 'Stonehaven' newspaper articles pertaining to the recipients volunteer service

Condition: GVF

Code: 24753