Orders, Decorations and Medals

A ‘Double R.V.M.’ group of six awarded to Charles McIntosh, a Stalker on the Balmoral Estate and a Private in the 5th Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders

Jubilee 1887, clasp, 1897, bronze; Coronation 1902, bronze; Coronation 1911, unnamed; Volunteer Force Long Service, E.VII.R. (4987 Pte. C. McIntosh, 5th V.B. Gordon Hdrs.) impressed naming; Royal Victorian Medal, G.V.R., silver; Royal Victorian Medal, E.VII.R., bronze, all unnamed except where stated, mounted court style for wear, contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise generally about very fine (6) £750-850

Charles McIntosh was employed as a Stalker on the Balmoral Estate from August 1878 until his retirement in May 1925. The recipient, a native of Ballater, Aberdeenshire was a member of the elite hand picked ‘Balmoral Highlanders’ formed from stalwarts on the Balmoral Estate who, attired in full Highland Dress with Scottish side-arms, acted as the personal ‘armed’ bodyguard of Queen Victoria when she was in residence in Scotland. On the death of Queen Victoria, Charles McIntosh is confirmed as being one of four ‘Balmoral Highlanders’ requested to join and participate in the formal mourning ceremonies for the Queen Empress, in London and Windsor, including service as one of the official pall bearers (A copied published article with the group refers).

Awarded the R.V.M. in bronze by King Edward VII on 7 October 1903, while employed as a 2nd Stalker, he received the R.V.M. in silver from King George V on 8 October 1920, as a Stalker. Meanwhile, his services in the 5th Volunteer Battalion of the Gordons were recognised by the award of his Volunteer Force Long Service Medal in an Army Order of 1 July 1903. McIntosh, who is believed to be the father of V. A. C. McIntosh (see lot 1645), died on 17 January 1938. With copied research.