Auction Catalogue

21 September 2007

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 325

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21 September 2007

Hammer Price:
£1,200

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (1989 Pte. J. Grigor, 92nd Highrs.) edge nick and polished, otherwise very fine £1200-1500

Private John Grigor was killed in action at Majuba Hill on the night of 26/27 February 1881.

John Grigor, or Gregor, was born in about 1848 and was recruited on 2 August 1866 at Glasgow, and enlisted into the 91st Foot on the 8th of that month. He was then aged 18, a shoemaker by trade. He transferred to the 92nd Highlanders on 1 April 1869, and joined the regiment in India on 1 February 1870. Although he served with the regiment throughout the Afghan War of 1878-80, he seems to have missed all the major engagements and qualified for the medal without clasp. At the end of the campaign he went with the regiment to Natal where they arrived early in 1881. In February he was part of the Force under Sir George Pomeroy-Colley which scaled the Majuba Hill on the night of 26/27 February, when they were attacked by the Boers and routed in the disastrous engagement that followed, Private John Grigor being amongst those killed. Sold with full muster details.