Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Prize Medals Relating to Pipers: An attractive oval Silver Medal, unmarked, surmounted by cast nickel, obverse engraved ‘1st Prize Jig Playing National Halls - Glasgow - 1883. Won By Wm. Sutherland’, 53mm x 72mm, with eyelet and ring suspension; (3) Piping Medals, one in 9ct Gold, one silver (Hallmarks for Birmingham 1934) and one in bronze, all obverses are the Gordon Highlander’s crest, the reverses a Piper playing, 2nd engraved ‘Novices Fling A/Pr. J. Cotts.’, 3rd engraved ‘Novices Sword Dance A/Pr. J. Coutts.’, all 32mm; Piping Medal, silver, unmarked, obverse 42nd Foot crest, reverse a Piper playing, obverse engraved ‘Pte. Neilson’, 32mm; Muir Cup Prize Medal, silver and gold (Hallmarks for Birmingham 1934), obverse engraved ‘J.H.’, reverse engraved ‘30th G.C.B.B. Muir Cup Won By Sgt. John Hill 1936’, 27mm x 42mm, generally very fine or better (6) £180-220

The first medal is attributed to William Sutherland, 1844-1903, the son of William Sutherland of Clarkston, Airdrie. His father was known as the “Earl of Skye”, and was a Piper and composer of some repute. Father and son were part of a family who produced seven generations of Pipers.

John Hill was the son of Mr and Mrs J. D. Hill of Glasgow. He was a Sergeant in the 30th Glasgow Company Boys Brigade. He served during the Second War as 3313204 Piper, 4/5th Royal Scots Fusiliers and died 16 December 1944. He is buried in Venray War Cemetery, Netherlands.