Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Great War trio to Major G. S. D. Forbes, C.M.G., D.S.O., 7th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, a veteran of the Matabeleland campaign of 1896 and the Boer War, who won his D.S.O. for gallantry at Spion Kop with Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry, was made C.M.G. as a member of the Legislative Council of Rhodesia, and died of wounds in France in July 1915

1914-15 Star (Major G. S. D. Forbes. C.M.G. D.S.O. K.O. Sco. Bord.); British War and Victory Medals (Major G. S. D. Forbes.) extremely fine (3) £500-£600

Gordon Stewart Drummond Forbes was born in 1868, son of General Sir John Forbes, G.C.B., of Inverness. He was mining in South Africa, in the Johannesburg area, in 1889-93; in Rhodesia as Managing Director of Companies, 1893-1900. He served through the Matabele War of 1896 on Colonel Plumer's Staff, and then on Colonel Spreckley's Staff at the Battle of Umyussa (Medal). In 1891 he visited the West Coast of Africa, and was for a time engaged in mining there. He served in the South African War, and, for gallantry at Spion Kop, was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Gordon Stewart Drummond Forbes, Lieutenant, Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented to him by the King on 3 June 1901. He lived in Rhodesia, and was Managing Director of Companies there, his favourite recreations being steeplechasing and hunting. He was a member of the Legislative Council, Rhodesia, and was created a C.M.G. in 1910.

He volunteered for service in the Great War, joining the 7th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers as a Major, and landed in France on 9 July 1915. He died of wounds from a random shell on 21 July 1915, during his first tour of duty in the trenches and was buried in Fouquières Churchyard Extension. He was 48 years of age.

Sold with a postcard sized original portrait photograph of Major Forbes in uniform.

Major Forbes’ earlier awards were sold by Spink Medal Auctions, Spring 1991, and comprised:

D.S.O., V.R.; British South Africa Company's Medal 1890-97, for Rhodesia 1896 (Lieut., Staff B.F.F.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Relief of Mafeking, Relief of Ladysmith (Lieut., Armd. Train). Named miniatures of the last two were sold in a separate lot, and what may have been his C.M.G. breast badge in another lot.