Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Major Sir Hervey Ronald Bruce, Irish Guards, late Highland Light Infantry, 5th Baronet Downhill

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Modder River, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Diamond Hill, Belfast (Capt. H. R. Bruce, 1/High. L.I.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Capt. H. R. Bruce, Irish Gds.) edge bruising, contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £600-700

Hervey Ronald Bruce was born on 9 December 1872, the eldest son of the Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Hervey Bruce, 4th Baronet Downhill (created 1804). He was educated at Eton. Commissioned a Lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry in February 1899, he served with the 1st Battalion during the Boer War, being present at the battles of Modder River and Magersfontein. Then seconded for service with the Staff in February 1900 and served as Transport Officer in the Cavalry Divison at the relief of Kimberley, afterwards participating in the actions at Paardeberg, Driefontein and Diamond Hill. Bruce was appointed a Second Lieutenant in the Irish Guards on the regiment’s formation, 15 August 1900, thereby becoming one of the first officers to hold a commission in the regiment. With them he was present at the action at Belfast. He later transferred to the Royal Irish Riflels and was advanced to Major. Bruce succeeded as 5th Baronet in May 1919; was J.P., D.L. for Co. Londonderry. A resident at Downhill, Londonderry and Clifton Hall, Nottingham; he died on 18 May 1924