Queens South Africa Medal. With clasp 'Orange Free State', 'Transvaal', 'South Africa 1901' & 'South Africa 1902' (7902 L. Cpl. A. Dickson. Rl: Highrs:)

Medal & Clasps Verification: Medal with all 4 x clasps verified as entitled per respective campaign medal roll of 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), referenced below

- QSA & 4 x clasps: WO 100/190, the roll compiled and signed at Solon Cantonment, India, on, 10 June 1903. The medal roll with remark 'To 1st Black Watch'

'The recipients extant service papers (extant & accessible at The National Archives) show that the recipient was awaiting trial on 2 October 1903, with the subsequent entry that sentenced him to Impriosonment with 112 x days 'Hard Labour':

Quote.

Tried by District Court Martial

Sentenced to 112 days Impr H L for

I. Disobeying a lawful command given by a superior officer

II. Striking a superior Officer, being in the execution of his office

To prison 15.08.03

Unquote.

Alexander Dickson, eldest son of Alexander Dickson (born Huntly, Aberdeenshire, who in 1881 was a Blacksmith) and Isabella Dickson (nee Dias) was a native of Inverness, Inverness-shire, Scotland where he was born in 1880, and at which time he lived with his family at, 3 Albion Square, Huntly Street, Inverness. By the time of the compilation of the National Census for Scotland in 1891, the Dickson family had re-located to Glasgow, where the family were living at, 14 Manfield Street. In 1891, the Dickson family comprised the parents and 6 x children (4 x daughters, Barbara, Helen, Isabella & Margaret & 2 x sons, Alexander & William). In 1891, Alexander's father, is recorded employed as a 'Horse Shoer', and young Alexander - then just 11 years of age - was described employed as a 'Grocers Assistant'. Circa 1900, the Dickson family were resident at 4 India Street, Partick, Glasgow

Described as a 'Shipwright' Alexander Dickson enlisted into the British Army, on a 'Short Service Engagement' at Glasgow on, 17 August 1900. At the time of his enlistment he was a serving member of the local Clyde Volunteer Submarine Royal Engineers. On enlistment Alexander was posted to the Regimental Depot of the Royal Highlander (Black Watch). He subsequently served overseas during the South African War, where he served in South Africa between 30 September 1901 to 19 August 1902. During his service in South Africa, Alexander was attached to the 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch)

Clyde Division Royal Engineers (Submarine Miners): This was a historic volunteer unit of the British Army established in 1888 to protect the River Clyde in Scotland and its strategic shipyards using underwater mines and electric searchlights

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

Condition: GVF

Code: 26325