Anglo Boer War - International Order of Good Templars

Good Templars 01 ss

Country: UK
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 00/00/1902
Number issued: ?

Silver medals, to:

1st Bn. Gordon Highlanders –

2563 Colour-Sergeant Charles H. WATKINS

3807 Sergeant George Henry CHAPMAN

2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders –

Lieutenant William ROBERTSON, V.C.

Unknown Regiment –

???? Robert RICHARDSON

and other active service members of the International Order of Good Templars

Obverse with the insignia of the "I.O.G.T." (in enamels).

Reverse (1): "SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN / 1899/1902 / FOR / STEADFASTNESS / Bro. Sgt. Major C. Watkins".

Reverse (2): "SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN / 1899/1902 / FOR / STEADFASTNESS / Bro. Lieutenant Robertson, V.C.".

The Dundee Courier (21/08/1902) notes that "steps were being taken to recognise the loyalty of the brethren by the presentation of some badge or memento".

Lieutenant Robertson received a second Temperance medal from the Grand Lodge of India.

Lieutenant Robertson example sold through Spink, 08/11/1994.

Richardson example sold through Spink, 25/07/2018, for £150 (incomplete – lacking enamel insignia).

Chapman example sold through Morton & Eden, 13/07/2021.

Chapman example sold through JB Military Antiques, Western Australia, 25/06/2023.

Lieutenant Robertson example sold through Noonan's, 13/03/2024 (lacking ribbon and suspension bar).

Watkins medal in the Constantine Collection.

Dundee Courier, 21/08/1902

Army & Navy Gazette, 31/10/1903

Spink, 08/11/1994

Spink, 25/07/2018

Constantine Collection

Morton & Eden, 13/07/2021

JB Military Antiques, 25/06/2023

Noonan's, 13/03/2024

Forum - Medals to the Gordon Highlanders

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Army and Navy Gazette, 31st October 1903

GOOD TEMPLAR SOLDIERS.

The Grand Lodge of England and United Services recently held a special session in St Peter’s Institute, Buckingham Place Road, S.W., to welcome home the representatives of the Good Templar lodges attached to regiments engaged in the operations in South Africa. Earlier in the day the Military District Lodge held a special session in the same hall, when the District Chief Templar, Capt. W.E. Webb, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, reported that during the late war no less than 22 military Good Templar lodges went with their regiments to South Africa from home stations, three from India, two from Ceylon, and two from Egypt. In addition to these, 10 lodges were instituted among the troops while in South Africa, including a Pretoria Garrison Lodge, and lodges in the Cape Town Garrison, 1st Batn. Devonshire Regt., 2nd Batn. Seaforth Highlanders, and the Red and White Rose Lodge in the Northumberland Fusiliers and 1st Dragoon Guards have had lodges instituted since peace was declared.

There was thus a total of 40 military lodges which had worked in South Africa during the campaign, many of which never missed holding a weekly session. Of the lodges, 35 were infantry, four were cavalry, and one artillery. The Good Templar soldiers who had received the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery were Lieutenant ROBERTSON, Gordon Highlanders, and Corpl. SHAUL, 1st Batn. Highland Light Infantry, and several had won commissions.

On the motion of the Grand Chief Templar, Councillor J. Malins, Birmingham, the following resolution was passed: –

“That we in united meeting of the Grand Lodge of England and United Services and of the Military District Lodge have pleasure in placing on record the fact that no less than 40 Good Templar lodges existed in the various regiments and contingents which were sent out to active service in South Africa, and that 10 additional lodges were instituted among the British forces at the front; and we rejoice in the fact that, notwithstanding the hardships and loss of life experienced during the campaign, our military members prosecuted our temperance work with such zeal and efficiency as to be enabled to return with more than doubled membership. That we heartily thank them for their excellent work; cordially welcome them back to the Motherland, and will hold in grateful memory those of their comrades who laid down their lives in the service of their country and its ruler”.

Medals and awards

International Order of Good Templars