TOPIC:

I wonder if anyone out there can shed light on a family story that I have been trying to get to the bottom of for years. My Great Grandfather Archibald Douglas was a private in the Seaforth Highlanders and served during the Boar War. He was given a lighter as a gift for his services in aiding A G Wauchope during the Battle of Magersfontein. The family story is that he saved his life but from the little research I have done I can see that A G Wauchope was mortally wounded as a result of this battle. I have a photo of the lighter along with my great grandfathers campaign medals. These were all buried with him in 1937 but you can clearly see the lighter is engraved with the following:
December ?? (date i cannot decipner)
from A G Wauchope
Black Watch

My great grandfather told of being pinned down during battle and being severly sunburnt on the back of his legs which ties in with accounts I have also read?
Any information would be very kindly received.

Hello and welcome here,
Superb pieces you have there, WO97 does not confirm any "Special instances of gallant conduct" which is a pity, WO100 merely confirms the medals/clasps and gives the 17th of July 1901 as the date he was invadided.
I can't see anything of the engraving in the photo, what exactly does it say?
I would perhaps go into every regimental account that you can find regarding the battle and speak to their museum regarding your great grandfather before doing anything else.
Regards Frank Kelley

Jove Archie! Are you saying that this wonderful pair of medals (and the lighter) are still six feet under and have languished there since 1937??

I would, and please don't think me insensitive.., be out there with a pick and shovel right now.

The medals must have meant a great deal to your great Grandad.

Best of luck with your research.

Rory

Dear Frank
Thanks for your quick reply
The engraving says
December Then a date I can't make out
From
AG Wauchope
DSO
Black Watch
I'm a complete novice to all this what is/does WO97 and 100 mean and where's best to search for the regimental accounts?
Kind regards
Sam

Dear Rory
I'm afraid they are I have a map with x marks the spot and have visited the graveyard but no headstones remain. It sounds like an adventure novel doesn't it. Thanks for your best wishes!
Sam

Hello Sam,

And a warm welcome to the forum.
A fascinating story and one worthy of more research.
Frank raises a good point about speaking to Regimental museums.
Wauchopes medals are on display in Edinburgh Castle, I saw them on a visit there last year.

Good luck
Paul