Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Piper Donald Sinclair, Cameron Highlanders

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, no clasp (1414 Pte. D. Sinclair 1/Cam’n. Highrs.); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, the reverse impressed ‘1414 Piper D. Sinclair’, edge bruising and pitting from star, therefore fine (2) £200-260

Donald Sinclair was born at Oban, Argyllshire, in 1864, and enlisted into the Cameron Highlanders on 5 February 1885, aged 20. On 18 September 1885, he embarked with a draft for the 1st Battalion, on active service in the Sudan, and subsequently took part in the operations on the Upper Nile, including the action at Ginnis on 30 December 1885. During his period in the Sudan he had apparently served with the battalion as an (acting) Piper, but he had never been taken on strength as a full or established Piper.

Returning with the battalion on board the Tamar in March 1887, he arrived at Plymouth on the 25th and took up quarters at Devonport Barracks, and continued on home stations until his transfer to 1st Class Army Reserve on the expiration of his Colour Service on 4 February 1892. He subsequently re-engaged on 5 February 1897, and rejoined the Colours on mobilisation for the war in South Africa, 3 February 1900. On the 15th he was posted to ‘G’ Company and took part in operations in Orange River Colony, Cape Colony and the Transvaal, as well as actions at Johannesburg and Diamond Hill during May and June 1900.

Sinclair returned home in December 1901 and was discharged on 4 February 1902. He held membership in the ‘Caledonian Piper’s Club’, formed in 1900 to promote pipe music among Highlanders living in Edinburgh. Club membership at that time was limited to 100 persons. Sold with copied service papers.