Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Boer War D.C.M. group of three awarded to Private J. Docherty, Gordon Highlanders: he was ‘brought up on porridge and milk’, was twice wounded in South Africa and considered the kilt ‘the finest fighting dress in the world’

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (1147 Pte. J. Docherty, 1st Gordon Highrs.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, The Nile 1884-85 (1147 Pte., 1/Gord. Highrs.); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, edge bruising and contact wear, particularly to the second, otherwise good fine and better (3) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to The Gordon Highlanders and Associated Units from the Collection of A.J. Henderson.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

James Docherty, who was born near Thurso in March 1868, the son of a Crimean veteran of the Black Watch, enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders in September 1883. Posted to the 1st Battalion in Egypt in September of the following year, he participated in the Nile Expedition, and went on to serve on garrison duty in Malta and Ceylon before being discharged to the Army Reserve in September 1895.

In December 1899, soon after the outbreak of hostilities in South Africa, Docherty volunteered to rejoin the Colours and was posted to the 1st Battalion. He was subsequently twice wounded, firstly at Doornkop on 29 May 1900, when he received a gunshot wound to his left forearm, and secondly at Leekoehoek, near Krugersdorp, on 11 July 1900, when he received gunshot wounds in two places on the left thigh. During this latter action Docherty had carried a wounded Gunner officer to safety, and then assisted two others before taking part in an attempt to rescue the guns. He was awarded the D.C.M. and received the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps for “Cape Colony”, “Paardeberg”, “Driefontein” and “Johannesburg”.

In The Life of a Regiment, it is recorded that General Smith-Dorrien visited the wounded in hospital after the action at Leekoehoek and was introduced to Docherty:

‘ “Splendid fellow, has distinguished himself in every action,” said Captain Allan. To Smith-Dorrien’s encomiums on the conduct of the troops, Docherty shook a doubtful head: “Aye, we may hae dune weel eneuch, but I dinna haud wi’ yon rinnin’ awa.” “Running away?” exclaimed the startled General, “We didn’t run away, we retired by order of the C.-in-C.!” “Aye, sir, you’ll maybe call it retirin’ bit I ca’ it rinnin’ awa!” ’

The same source credits Docherty with having been ‘brought up on porridge and milk’ and that he considered the kilt the ‘finest fighting dress in the world.’

Invalided home, he transferred to the Royal Garrison Regiment, but had the unhappy experience of being court-martialled in May 1902 ‘for making away with a military decoration’. Found guilty, he was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment with hard labour. Docherty subsequently found his way back to the Gordons and was finally discharged in November 1906.

Once again, however, the outbreak of hostilities found him re-enlisting in the Gordons, although on this occasion he was quickly discharged as being unfit for overseas service. Nothing daunted, he then enlisted in the Royal Naval Reserve in August 1915 and served as a Deck Hand in minesweeping trawlers for the rest of the War, and was awarded a 1914-15 Star trio.