Orders, Decorations and Medals

Afghanistan 1878-80, 1 clasp, Kandahar (Lieut. H. L. Gardiner, C. Batt: 2nd Bde. R.A.) good very fine £400-500

Henry Lawrence Gardiner was born on 16 April 1860, son of the Rev. T. Gardiner, of Old Aberdeen, and educated at Chanonry School, Old Aberdeen, and at Aberdeen University. He then went to Woolwich, whence he passed into the Royal Artillery in 1879, gaining the Toombs’ memorial scholarship. Gardiner saw active service in the Afghan war of 1879-80, being awarded the medal and clasp and a mention in despatches; and with the Zhob Valley Expedition of 1884. In 1887 he reached the rank of Captain, becoming Major 10 years later, and in 1905 was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel. He served as an instructor at the School of Gunnery from 1898 to 1903 and as chief instructor from 1908 to 1912, in which year he was promoted to Colonel. He was appointed Colonel-in-Charge R.G.A. records, 1912-13, and was commandant of the School of Gunnery, 1913-14. During the Great War he commanded the Scottish Coast Defences and Forth Garrison with the rank of temporary Major-General, his services gaining him the C.B. and mention in despatches (London Gazette 24 and 25 January 1917). Major-General Gardiner died on 24 February 1946.