Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (6004 Pte. D. Duncan. Gordon Highrs:) nearly very fine £80-£120

David Duncan was severely wounded in the attack on a train near Naboomspruit on 4 July 1901. The train had an escort of 29, including 22 Gordon Highlanders, under Lieutenant A. A. D. Best, in an open truck, when it was derailed by an explosion of dynamite and immediately came under heavy fire from about 150 Boers. Lieutenant Best and 13 of his men were killed, as was the train driver. A further 10 Gordons were wounded after putting up a valiant fight.

Lord Kitchener reported on 10 August, in a cable to the King:

‘As Colonel-in-Chief of the Gordon Highlanders Your Majesty may be pleased to know that Commandant de Villiers, who was present and who has just surrendered, informs me that at the attack on the train on 4th July at Naboomspruit the guard of Gordon Highlanders under Lt. Best behaved with the utmost gallantry. After the train had been captured by 150 Boers the last four men, although completely surrounded and with no cover, continued to fire till three were killed and the fourth wounded. On the Boers asking the survivor the reason they had not surrendered, he replied: “Why, man, we are the Gordon Highlanders.”’

Also entitled to the Queen’s medal with clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Lanig’s Nek, and Belfast. Only two of the Gordons in this train attack received the K.S.A.