Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Modder River (1982 Cr. Sjt. D. Christison, A. & S. Highrs.) nearly extremely fine £400-450

M.I.D. London Gazette 4 September 1901.

David Christison, from the village of Lochlee, Forfarshire, served as a Private in the 1st Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. He took part in the Battle of Modder River, 28 November 1899. Shortly afterwards he was killed in the Battle of Magersfontein, 11 December, 1899. Christison is named on the Regimental War Memorial in front of Stirling Castle and on the small memorial on the moor just outside of Edzell.

On 5 January 1900 a letter from Christison, written on 8 December 1899, three days before he was killed, was published in The Stirling Journal. In the letter Christison gives his opinion of the kilt as “fighting dress”, describes his part in the battle and states that he believes he has been recommended for the D.C.M. and Victoria Cross for his services at Modder River.

Shortly afterwards the Black and White Budget, a weekly picture magazine of the time, published a photograph of Christison in full dress uniform, with a small article telling of the letter and quoting part of it. With copied research.