Six: Sergeant and Pipe-Major R. Hay, South African Infantry, late Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Modder River, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (6121 Pte. R. Hay, A. & S. Highrs:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (6121 Pte. A. [sic] Hay. A. & S. Highrs.); Natal 1906, 1 clasp, 1906 (Pte: R. Hay, Natal Rangers.); 1914-15 Star (Pte. R. Hay 8th Infantry); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Sjt. R. Hay. 4th. S.A.I.) unofficial rivets between clasps on first, light contact marks, nearly very fine (6) £300-400

Robert Hay was born in Ayrshire in 1879 and attested for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Ayr on 30 March 1897. He served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa from 27 October 1899 until 2 May 1903, and was awarded both the Queens’ and King’s South Africa Medals (the roll for the former gives his clasps entitlement as Modder River, Orange Free State, and Transvaal). Discharged in South Africa, he subsequently served in ‘C’ Company (Transvaal Scottish), Natal Rangers, 16 May to 21 August 1906, and was Mentioned for good service (Natal Gazette 10 September 1907). On the outbreak of the Great War he attested into the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry (Transvaal Scottish) on 28 September 1914. Appointed Piper on 1 February 1915, he was promoted to Sergeant (Pipe-Major) on 1 May of that year. Discharged at Johannesburg on 7 August 1915, he attested into the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force on 26 August 1915, and was posted to the 4th South African Infantry on the same day, to draw duty pay as a Piper. Appointed Lance-Corporal on 17 November 1915, he served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force from 30 December 1915, and then with the British Expeditionary Force from 15 April 1916. His final appointment was that of Acting Sergeant in charge of the Pipe Band, 22 February 1918. He sailed for South Africa, and was discharged on 28 August 1919.