Auction Catalogue

5 & 6 December 2018

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 47 x

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5 December 2018

Hammer Price:
£4,800

An ‘Omdurman’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Colour Sergeant T. E. Mackenzie, Cameron Highlanders, the son of a D.C.M. recipient for the same regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Cr. Sgt. T. E. Mackenzie. Cam’n Highrs. (..nd. Sept. 1898)) minor official correction to ‘G’ of Highrs; Queen’s Sudan 1896-98, unnamed; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (1644 C.Sgt. T. E. Mackenzie, 1st. Cam’n: Highrs:) dig to Queen’s cheek; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (1644 Clr:- Serjt: T. Mackenzie. Cameron Highrs:); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 2 clasps, The Atbara, Khartoum (1644 Cr. Sgt. Mac. Kenzie 1 Cam. Highrs.) with five related and mounted miniature awards, generally good very fine (5) £3000-4000

Provenance: Spink, April 2005.

D.C.M.
London Gazette 15 November 1898, awarded for the battle of Omdurman, 2 September 1898.

M.I.D.
London Gazette 30 September 1898.

Thomas Edward Mackenzie was born in Rawalpindi, India. He was the son of Quarter-Master Sergeant John Mackenzie, who was awarded the D.C.M. for his service with the Cameron Highlanders and Royal Highlanders in recognition of gallantry in the Crimea, Indian Mutiny and North West Frontier of India Campaign of 1863.

Mackenzie attested for the Cameron Highlanders at Fort George in April 1885, and advanced to Corporal in December the same year. He advanced to Sergeant in July 1888, and served with the 1st Battalion in Egypt and the Sudan from October 1897 - March 1900. Mackenzie was present, as part of General Gatacre’s Brigade, at the Battle of the Atbara, 8 April 1898:

‘General Gatacre delivered a stirring address. There was, he told the troops, to be no question about this. They were to go right through the zariba, and drive the Dervishes into the river. At half-past seven our artillery ceased fire, and the bugles sounded the advance. The pipers were placed in the rear of the battalion in the advance on the Dervish zariba, where they played “The Earl of Mansfield”. In the action Piper James Stewart, emulating Mackay at Waterloo, stood close to the most formidable of the enemy’s stockades playing “The Cameron Men” for the encouragement of his comrades. He presented an easy mark for the Dervishes and fell, hit not once but seven times. That, and the saving of General Gatacre’s life by Private Cross who killed a Dervish about to spear the general, were the outstanding actions of the rank and file of the Camerons in that engagement. Cross, who was later killed, was recommended for the V.C., but there were soldiers who maintained that Piper Chalmers, one of the best shots in the Regiment, and also one of the most notorious defaulters, had a share in Cross’s act, but was debarred by his “conduct sheet” from receiving any reward [having been twice imprisoned, for 14 and 84 days respectively with hard labour for drunkenness on duty whilst on active service]. Many stories are told of that excellent but misguided piper.’ (
The Piper in Peace and War, by C. A. Malcolm refers). In the event both Cross and Chalmers received the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the only two awarded to the Camerons for the Atbara.

Mackenzie was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry during the Battle of Omdurman, 2 September 1898, where the Regiment again distinguished themselves - this time being awarded 4 D.C.M.s for action. Mackenzie subsequently served in South Africa during the Boer War from March 1900 - August 1902. He advanced to Colour Sergeant in November 1891, and was discharged ‘Medically Unfit’, 21 October 1902, having served 17 years and 178 days with the Colours.

Colour Sergeant Mackenzie retired to West Ealing, Middlesex, where he died in 1935.

Sold with two photographs of the recipient, one in uniform, the other wearing his miniature awards.