An exceptional ‘Thin Red Line’ group of three to Major J. A. McGowan, 93rd Highlanders, late 40th Regiment, who died of wounds whilst a captive of the Russians at Sebastopol

Candahar Ghuznee Cabul 1842 (Lieutt. J. A. McGowan, H.M. 40th Regt.) fitted with contemporary silver bar suspension and ribbon buckle; Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Lieutt. J. A. Macgowan, H.M. 40th Regt.) fitted with gold swivel bar suspension and gold ribbon buckle; Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Alma, Balaklava (Captain J. A. McGowan, 93rd Regt.) officially impressed naming, fitted with silver ribbon buckle, the first with pitting from star, therefore good fine, otherwise about good very fine (3) £6000-8000

Ex Gordon Everson Collection, March 2002.

John Anstruther McGowan was born in Peebles in 1820, and educated privately and at the Edinburgh Military Academy. He obtained an ensigncy in the 40th Regiment on 21 February 1840, and embarked for India on 15 May 1840. He served with the 40th throughout the operations at Candahar and elsewhere in Afghanistan during 1841-42, and was severely wounded at Gandamuck. He was made Lieutenant on 4 March 1842, and took part in the battle of Maharajpoor on 29 December 1843.

McGowan was made Captain on 31 December 1847, and exchanged into the 93rd Highlanders. He served with the 93rd in the Crimea, at the Alma, at Balaklava, where he was one of the ‘Red Line’, and before Sebastopol. On the night of 6 August 1855, Brevet Major McGowan was placing men in advance of the trenches when his patrol came under attack. He fell with a bayonet in his groin and was carried as a prisoner into the Russian lines. No word came of him for some time but eventually it was found that he had lingered for eight days and died of his wounds on 14 August 1855.