Auction Catalogue

25 May 2022

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 160

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25 May 2022

Hammer Price:
£160

Pair: Private T. C. Steele, Gordon Highlanders, who was accidentally killed by gun shot in Ireland on 28 July 1921

British War and Victory Medals (S-42265 Pte. T. C. Steele. Gordons.) minor edge bruise to BWM, otherwise nearly extremely fine (2) £60-£80

Terence Coins Steele attested for the Gordon Highlanders and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. Re-enlisting following the cessation of hostilities, he was re-nubered 2868123, and served with the 2nd Battalion in Ireland.

Steele ‘died tragically as a result of a revolver accident at Curragh Camp, in Ireland, and the extremely sad circumstances cast a gloom over his home and upon all his many friends both in Dundee and in the regiment to which he belonged. The tragedy occurred at the end of last week. Private Steele was in the canteen preparing dinner when an officer dropped a revolver in a tent fifty yards off. The revolver struck the bedstead and went off, the bullet lodging in Steele’s stomach. Death was almost instantaneous. Brought over from Ireland during the week-end the body arrived in Dundee on Monday, escorted by a sergeant-major from Curragh Camp. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon from his mother’s house at 43 Milnbank Road, and was witnessed by a large crowd. A firing party composed of 20 men from the Black Watch, and bugler and piper from Perth, accompanied the coffin to its resting-place in Balgay Cemetery. The coffin was laid on top of a gun drawn by eight horses. The sadness of the fatality is heightened by the fact that Private Steele left for Ireland with his regiment only about five weeks ago. He served for two years in France during the war, and on the cessation of hostilities signed on for other three years. He was of a genial disposition, and was thoroughly liked by all who knew him.’

Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient.