Auction Catalogue

6 & 7 December 2017

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 317 x

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6 December 2017

Hammer Price:
£900

The highly emotive Egypt and Sudan medal awarded to Private Donald Cameron, Cameron Highlanders - “The Immortal Donald Cameron”, who was first through the trenches at Tel-El-Kebir, 13 September 1882; where he was killed by a shot to the head whilst spurring the Regiment on to victory

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (1455. Pte. D. Cameron. 1/Cam’n. Highrs.) nearly extremely fine £800-1200

Donald Cameron served with “E” Company, 1st Battalion, Cameron Highlanders at Tel-El-Kebir, 13 September 1882. At the latter action, ‘just as the Regiment reached the Egyptian trenches the enemy bugles rang out, and, in the words of the ‘narrative’ by Capt. & Adjt. K. S. Baynes, “shells screamed above, and a line of fire like a living volcano poured from the enemy’s trenches. The 79th moved steadily on in an unbroken line; not a shot was fired in reply; but on the ‘Advance’ for the Brigade being sounded by Drummer John Alcorn, D Company., Lt-Colonel Leith galloped to the front, waving his sword, crying, ‘Come on, the 79th!’ and breaking into double line, to the shrill music of the pipes, and cheering as they ran, the Regiment charged the enemy’s lines...”

When, on 21 February, 1883, the Regiment paraded for the presentation of the war medals, General Graham, the Brigade Commander, concluded his address by saying:-

“You men who have survived that gallant charge, and who are about to receive your medals, must not forget those intrepid comrades whose lives were sacrificed, and especially would I mention Private Donald Cameron, who was first into the trenches, and died shot through the head.”

“The Immortal Donald Cameron”

Cameron was ‘a big, good-natured laddie, who, had he known of the patriotic enthusiasm which his gallantry at Tel-El-Kebir aroused both in Perthshire and the world beyond, would have been embarrassed.... Donald left school early. Under his father’s supervision he began life in the peaceful calling of a farm labourer, and at the age of 16 he was a fully-fledged ploughman on the farm of Banchory, near Coupar-Angus.... But though Donald conscientiously followed in the footsteps of his father, the blood of his Highland ancestors had been stirring in his veins. His ambition had become so strong that he forsook his pastoral pursuits to become a follower of the god of war.’

He was to get his chance at Tel-El-Kebir, ‘with the Highland Division... they struck a part of the line where the enemy resistance was strongest. Here, too, a frontal attack was the only plan open to them. They rushed forward in face of a fusillade of rifle bullets. Such was the speed of their advance that they had gained the shelter of the entrenchments before the enemy riflemen could take effective aim. Once up against the enemy fortifications, however, they faltered a moment before the tremendous earthworks which had yet to be scaled.

It was a vital moment, and it produced a hero. Suddenly a solitary figure was seen silhouetted against the lightening sky - the first British soldier to scale the enemy trenches. It was 21 year old Donald Cameron. Donald, as one of his companions related... was a very strong young man. His courage was in proportion to his great physical strength. His gallant action saved the situation. With a roar of triumph his companions swarmed up the earthwork after him, and at the point of the bayonet drove the enemy from their stronghold.’

After the campaign in Egypt and Sudan ended the 79th’s Regimental Bandmaster composed a song, and named it “Donald Cameron.” A number of other poems and songs were composed in tribute to the fallen Highlander, including the following:

‘From behind the earthen rampart
Sudden bursts a sheet of flame;
Blow the bugles, scream the bagpipes,
Forward, gallant hearts, to Fame.

Well ahead of all his comrades,
Mid the shouts and whistling balls,
With a bullet in his forehead,
Private Donald Cameron falls!

First to gain the hostile trenches,
Winner in the daring race,
He hath gained a wreath immortal,
Though death’s shade be on his face.

One more gallant Highland Soldier,
On the Roll of Fame so long
Hath inscribed his name by valour-
Donald Cameron! Live in song!

Donald Cameron, in the memory
Of thy Clansmen and thy Corps,
May thy name be green for ever;
Thou’rt not dead but gone before.

Gone before, as in the dawning
Of that well remembered day,
You sprang forth to show your comrades
Where the Path of Honour lay!’

Such was the swell of patriotic pride that surrounded Cameron’s death, a memorial fund was set up by the “Peoples Journal”. Donations from all over the world were made, and a memorial was erected as a tribute to him in the churchyard at Moulin, Pitlochry.

Note that a contemporary local newspaper article was written recording the fact that Cameron’s Egypt Medal was stolen from his parent’s house. After work by the local MP, he ‘handed Cameron’s parents a new medal re-issued under the authority of the War Office.’