Auction Catalogue

18 & 19 September 2014

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 1441

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19 September 2014

Hammer Price:
£1,000

Pair: Piper Robert McKenzie, Gordon Highlanders

Afghanistan
1878-80, 3 clasps, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (1514 Piper R. McKenzie, 92 .... Hrs.); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (1514 Piper R. McKenzie, 92nd Highlanders) mounted as worn from a silver buckle, first pitted with edge bruising and some wear to naming; second with edge bruising and contact marks, good fine and better (2) £600-700

Robert McKenzie was a native of Nigg, Tain, Ross-shire, Scotland, where he was born c.1848. He indicated that he was a resident of Inverness, when he enlisted there on 29 November 1866, for service in the British Army with the 92nd Highlanders. At his time of enlistment he described himself as having been 18 years of age, and by 'Trade' a 'Farm Servant'. Robert was however no stranger to military service, at the time of his enlistment he cited prior service with the Ross-shire Militia (Highland Rifle Militia). Robert was appointed 'Piper' on 26 October 1876, and continued to hold the appointment through to 29 January 1893, being promoted Lance-Corporal on 30 January 1893, which appointment he held through to his discharge on 29 November 1887. His intended place of residence after leaving the Army was 33 Warkworth Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

He served overseas in India, January 1868-March 1879; Afghanistan, March 1879 - October 1880; India, October 1880- January 1881; South Africa, January 1881-January 1882. As a Piper he served in the Afghanistan War 1878-1880, including the principal actions of Charasia, Kabul, the forced 310 mile march from Kabul to Kandahar, and the final battles at that latter place in September 1880. During the First Boer War in South Africa, 1881, the 92nd Highlanders fought at Majuba Hill.

Just five men listed on the 92nd Highlanders medal roll for Afghanistan held the rank of ‘Piper’; of which four earned a ‘three clasp’ medal.