Three: Major J. F. Meiklejohn, Royal Artillery

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Bhootan (Lieut. J. F. Meiklejohn, No. 5 By. 25th Bde. R.A.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (Major J. F. Meiklejohn, G/B R.H.A.); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, very fine or better (3) £400-450

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late Alan Wolfe.

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John Forbes Meiklejohn was born in Scotland on 5 December 1839, the son of Robert Meiklejohn and Elizabeth Grant Forbes, daughter of the Reverend George Forbes of Strathdon, to whom Robert was an assistant. He was graduated one of eight cadets. of a total of fifteen, reported fully qualified for artillery in the December 1858 passing out from the H.E.I.C. Academy at Addiscombe. He was subsequently posted to India as a Lieutenant and saw his first field service in the Bhootan campaign of 1864-66, being present with the 5th Battery, 25 Brigade R.A., at the capture of Bala and Chamoorchee.

Promoted to Captain in August 1872, and substantive Major in January 1880, Meiklejohn next saw action in the Suakin campaign of 1885 (Harts’ entries showing him in action in the Second Afghan war are incorrect). At Suakin he commanded “G” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, in the reconnaissance towards and advance upon Hasheen; action at Hasheen; the advance on 22nd March in support of Tofrek Zareba; the advance on Tamaai and the burning of Hasheen village. He was mentioned in the despatch of London Gazette Sir Gerald Graham, published in the London Gazette 25 August 1885: ‘The Royal Artillery had peculiar difficulties to contend with, due to the nature of the operations and of the country in which these took place. The Battery of Royal Horse Artillery, under Major J. F. Meiklejohn, was maintained in a state of high efficiency.’

Meiklejohn retired as an Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel in July 1885, and died in England in 1925 at the age of 88. Sold with a copy group photograph taken at his graduation from Addiscombe.