Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part II)

Primary source archive material relating to Field Marshal Sir George White, V.C., G.C.B., O.M., G.C.S.I, G.C.M.G., G.C.I.E., G.C.V.O (1835-1912)
(a) Contemporary documents relating to Field Marshal Sir George White’s equestrian statue in Portland Place, London, which for many years was the focus of wreath laying ceremonies on Ladysmith Day (28th February) by veterans, comprising:

(i) The public and private subscription archive contained in a handsome contemporary leather bound, gilt tooled album, titled ‘NATIONAL MEMORIAL STATUE TO THE LATE FIELD MARSHAL SIR GEORGE WHITE - LETTERS ETC. FROM GENERAL SUBSCRIBERS’, commencing with the national memorial committees’ printed mission statement and lists of members, the substantial volume comprises in excess of 350 manuscript and typescript A.L.S. from public figures (including Members of Parliament, Peers of the Realm, senior naval and military officers), private individuals, corporate and municipal bodies, together with a second section of approx. 80 autograph signed receipts, the two sections arranged alphabetically by donor and dating chiefly from the period December 1912 to March 1913. Album size 280mm x 225mm

(ii) The soldiers’ subscription archive contained in a handsome contemporary leather bound, gilt tooled companion album, titled ‘NATIONAL MEMORIAL STATUE TO THE LATE FIELD MARSHAL SIR GEORGE WHITE - LISTS OF SUBSCRIPTIONS FROM SOLDIERS, RAILWAY STAFFS, ETC’, comprising the bound collection of approx. 250 printed subscription lists sent out to railway companies, British, Indian, and Colonial military formations and units, detailing the subscribers’ names and donations, many with accompanying letters from commanding officers, adjutants and orderly room staff, chiefly dated January – March 1913. Album size 400mm x 260mm

(b) Sir George White's personal copy of Captain A T Mahan's book "The Story of the War in South Africa" (Sampson, Low and Marston 1900), containing extensive marginal annotation by White commenting on his reasons for staying in Ladysmith (a decision much criticised at the time and since), political considerations and with observations on particular aspects of the Siege, such as the "mishap" at Nicolson's Nek. White's signature on flyleaf and ink and pencil annotation throughout.  Item of some historical importance; Gerald Sharp refers to the annotations in his book "The Siege of Ladysmith", pages 103-105.     

(c) A crepe paper commemorative souvenir printed to mark Sir George White’s funeral.

(d) Illuminated address and tribute scrolls to Sir George White:

(i) Address from the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of Milton Ferrers, Northamptonshire, ‘in pursuance of a resolution passed 5 March 1900;

(ii) Illuminated address from the pupils of the Christian Brothers Schools, Gibraltar;

(iii) Printed poem The White Cross Knight by Pascal Everard, presented on the occasion of receiving the Freedom of the Livery of Clothworkers’ Company, dated 6 June 1900 (2 copies);

(iv) Address from the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce on appointment to Field Marshal, dated 14 April 1903;

(v) Large format vellum manuscript tribute address from the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce, on retirement from the Governorship of Gibraltar, dated 10th June 1905.

(e) Ten different contemporary formal portraits of Sir George White, many of which show him wearing his decorations and medals, the largest photographic image 285mm x 228mm.

(f) Siege of Ladysmith photograph album containing 96 captioned photographs taken by Lieutenant Ian Forbes, Gordon Highlanders, the inside cover inscribed ‘With the homage of the least of the Gordon Highlanders to the greatest – I.R.I.F. to Sir George White, V.C., to remind him of Ladysmith’; together with typescript A.L.S. from Forbes, dated Hollywood Barracks, Co. Down 25.10.02, presenting the album to Sir George as a souvenir of the 119 day defence. Album size 210mm x 250mm., this with evidence of damp staining and board pages loose, however the majority of images in very good condition
£1200-1500

Field Marshal Sir George Stuart White, V.C., G.C.B., O.M., G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., G.C.I.E., G.C.V.O. (1835-1912) was born at Portstewart, Co. Londonderry, and was educated at King William’s College, Isle of Man, and Sandhurst, from which he was commissioned into the 27th Inniskillings in 1853. He served in the Punjab with the Inniskillings during the suppression of the Indian Mutiny, and in 1867 transferred to the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, with whom he won his Victoria Cross during the 2nd Afghan War for conspicuous gallantry at Charaisia in October 1879 and at Kandahar in September 1880. He served as Military Secretary to the Viceroy of India and became Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon Highlanders 1881. After participation in the Nile Expedition of 1884-85, he commanded a brigade in Burma and was promoted Major-General for distinguished service in the field. He was successively C-in-C India, 1893-98; Q.M.G. to the Forces 1898-99, before being appointed General on Staff to command troops at Natal 1899-1900. Between 2 November 1899 and 28 February 1900 he conducted the celebrated 119 days’ defence of Ladysmith until relieved. He was afterwards Governor of Gibraltar. His orders, decorations, medals and baton were sold by Sothebys in March 1986.

Colonel Ian Rose-Innes Joseph Forbes, D.S.O., (1875-1957), the son of Colonel John Forbes of Rothiemay, Banff, was born at Jacobabad, Scinde, and educated Blair Lodge School, Polmont. In 1894 he was commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders via the militia, joining the 2nd battalion in India in 1896. In September1899 he proceeded with 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders to South Africa, arriving in Ladysmith the following month. In 1912 he transferred to the Royal Scots Fusiliers and commanded his battalion in Flanders until wounded in the chest in October 1914 and invalided home. He was afterwards Hon. Colonel 6th Bn. Gordon Highlanders.