Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5520 Piper R. Thompson. Rl: Highrs:) good very fine £200-240

Robert Thompson attested for the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) in 1894 and served as a Piper with the 1st Battalion during the South African war, taking part in the operations in the Orange Free State and Transvaal. He returned home with the Battalion in October 1902, and was stationed at Edinburgh Castle. On 13 May 1903, medals for the War in South Africa were presented to the Battalion on parade by H.M. King Edward VII at Dalkeith Palace. ‘As each man came to the King, H.M. presented him with his Medal. 33 Officers, 2 Warrant Officers, and 380 non-commissioned Officers and men were thus honoured by His Majesty.’ Piper Thompson was among those so honoured (Black Watch Archives refers). In August 1904 the Regimental Band and seven Pipers sailed for Canada on board the S.S. Canada. They were specially engaged by the Directors of the Canadian National Exhibition for a two week engagement at Toronto to be followed by a 50 city concert tour throughout Canada. Piper Thompson was amongst those selected, and performed twice daily at cities and towns throughout Canada including Windsor, Brandon, Montreal, St. John, Halifax, Winnipeg, and Ottawa, before returning home on 9 October 1904.