Orders, Decorations and Medals

An ‘El-Teb’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Corporal D. McPherson, Gordon Highlanders, wounded at El-Teb where he was conspicuous for his work with the bayonet in coming to the rescue of ‘Fred Burnaby’

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (827 Pte., 1/Gord. Highrs. 29th Feb. 1884); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 3 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-Teb-Tamaai (1526 Pte., 1/Gord. Highrs.); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed, minor contact marks, very fine (3) £7000-8000

D.C.M. London Gazette 6 May 1884 - for gallantry at El-Teb, with a gratuity of £5.

On 29 February 1884 at the battle of El Teb, Colonel Burnaby, on foot, having had his horse shot from under him, was the first man to reach the defences. 'He leapt on to the parapet and was immediately surrounded by half a dozen Arabs. He fired off both barrels of his shotgun at point-blank range and, unable to reload in time, began to lay about him with the butt. He was attacked on all sides and would have gone down had not a Highlander come to his aid with the bayonet'. In the melée that ensued, Private D. McPherson, one of the Highlanders to come to Burnaby's aid, received a severe spear wound to the face. Having received treatment in the Field Hospital, he gamely, at his own request, rejoined the Battalion and marched with them the next day to Tokar. Thirteen days later he was again in action at the battle of Tamaai, where he was promoted in the field to the rank of Corporal.

Only 2 D.C.M.'s were won by men of the Gordon Highlanders during the Egypt and Sudan campaigns of 1882-1885 - see lot 1590 for the other one.

With various roll extracts.