The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

A Boer War C.M.G. group of six awarded to Brigadier-General A. A. Garstin, 57th Foot and Middlesex Regiment- a veteran of both the Zulu War, he served as Deputy Assistant and Adjutant General with the Suakin Expeditionary Force in the Sudan in 1885, and having Commanded the 2nd Battalion, served on the Staff in South Africa during the Boer War, additionally being Mentioned in Despatches

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with integral gilt riband buckle; South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (Lt. & Adjt. A. A. Garstin. 57th. Foot.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (Major A. A. Garstin.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (Colonel A. A. Garstin. C.M.G., Staff.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Colonel A. A. Garstin C.M.G. Staff); Khedive’s Star, 1884-6, unnamed as issued, contact marks and light pitting from star, generally very fine and a unique combination of awards to the Middlesex Regiment (6) £2,600-£3,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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Provenance: Glendining’s, November 1968; Cross Collection, J. B. Hayward, January 1973.

C.M.G. London Gazette 19 April 1901:
‘In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.’

Alfred Allan Garstin was born in Edinburgh on 30 August 1850, the son of Charles Garstin, Esq., of the Bengal Civil Service, and was educated at Cheltenham College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned Ensign in the 57th Regiment of Foot on 23 September 1871, the last officer of the 57th to join the Army in this rank, and was promoted Lieutenant on 28 October of that year. He served with the Regiment in Ceylon from 23 December 1873 to 19 February 1879, and held the appointments of Assistant Instructor of Musketry from 23 April 1875, Acting Paymaster from 1 February 1877, and then Adjutant from 1 May 1878. Proceeding with the Regiment to South Africa, he served as Adjutant during the Zulu War from 20 February to 13 December 1879, and was present at the action at Ginghilovo on 2 April 1879: ‘The crossing of the Tugela was completed on 29 March, and two days later the little army (comprising the 57th Foot; the 3rd Battalion, 60th Rifles; 200 bluejackets; and a small body of mounted natives) reached Ginghilovo, where Pearson signalled to them from Ekowe that a Zulu attack was imminent. The camp was at once formed, with the wagons in laager, with Gatling guns and some other small artillery at the angles, and with trenches in front. The position of the 57th was on the south-east side of the laager. About six o’clock on the morning of 2 April, the Zulus, decked out with crests of leopard skin and feathers, and the tails of wild oxen, to give them a terrifying aspect, attacked with alternate rushes ands yells. In spite of the deadly fire from the trenches they came on again and again; at first against the 60th on the north-east, and then on the other sides. But though they advanced with the greatest bravery right up to the trenches, they could never get to close quarters, and after an hour’s hard fight a charge of the mounted infantry completed their rout.’ (The story of the Middlesex Regiment, by C. L. Kingsford refers).

Promoted Captain on 12 August 1880, Garstin served as Acting Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General of Dublin Garrison from 30 August 1880 to 20 October 1881, and then took up an appointment as Officer in Charge of Protection Posts, co. Clare, from February to September 1882. Advanced Major on 14 April 1883, he served during the Sudanese Campaign as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General with the Suakin Expeditionary Force from 20 February to 29 May 1885. After further service in India he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 18 September 1893, and commanded the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment for the next four years.

Garstin was promoted Colonel on 18 September 1897, and served on the Staff in South Africa during the Boer War. For his services on the Staff he was Mentioned in General Sir Redvers Buller’s Despatch of 9 November 1900: ‘Colonel A. A. Garstin, Assistant Adjutant-General, succeeded Colonel Bruce Hamilton as Assistant Adjutant-General, and has worked hard and well. He felt at first the want of previous staff training, but he has done his best to qualify himself for the position he now fills with credit’ (London Gazette 8 February 1901), and was created a companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. He retired on 18 November 1903, but was recalled for service during the Great War and commanded the 197th Infantry (Lancashire Fusilier) Brigade at home from 5 November 1914 to 19 May 1916 (not entitled to any Great War medals), and was advanced honorary Brigadier-General on 8 August 1917. He died on 26 February 1937.

Sold with copied record of service.