South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (Lt. F. M. G. Hutchinson, 2nd/4th Foot) together with a maginficent pair of miniature commemorative silver standards, being the Queen’s and Regimental Colours of the 2nd Battalion, the accompanying silver plaque inscribed ‘Presented by Her Most Gracious Majesty The Queen to the 2nd Battalion King’s Own Royal Regiment at Windsor on the 7th December, 1878. Queen’s Color, Lieut. Hutchinson. Regimental Color, Lieut. Shephard.’, extremely fine (2) £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Gordon Everson.

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Frederick Montgomery Gordon Hutchinson was born in Edinburgh on 22 March 1850, only son of Colonel F. J. T. Hutchinson. He was educated at Harrow in 1864-65, and at R.M.C. Sandhurst 1867-68, being appointed Ensign in the 4th Foot on 25 January 1869. He passed with 1st Class Honours at Hythe School of Musketry, was fluent in French and passed various other courses of military instruction, becoming Lieutenant on 20 September 1871.

Just prior to leaving for South Africa, the 2nd Battalion was presented with new colors by the Queen at Windsor Castle on 7 December 1878, Lieutenant Hutchinson having the honour of receiving the Queen’s Color on behalf of the regiment, Lieutenant Shepherd receiving the Regimental Color. A few days later, the regiment embarked in the transports Dunrobin Castle and Teuton, and arrived at Natal in January. He served in the Mounted Infantry during the Zulu War and took over command after Captain McCarthy was invalided after the battle of Kambula.

His conspicuous gallantry in the field during a reconnaissance prior to the battle of Ulundi was brought to the notice of H.R.H. Commanding-in-Chief, and, Lieutenant Hutchinson having saved a wounded man, was recommended for the Victoria Cross. The 2nd Battalion digest records: ‘On 28 May Lieut. Hutchinson went to join the Mounted Infantry with Wood’s column in place of Lieut. MacCarthy who had been sent back sick. This Detachment was present at the reconnaissance made by the mounted troops under Colonel Redvers Buller the day before Ulundi and at the battle of Ulundi. On the former day Lieut. Hutchinson saved the life of Pte. Garstin, 4th King’s Own, whose horse was shot, bringing him out on his own horse. For this action Lieut. Hutchinson was recommended by Colonel Buller and Colonel Evelyn Wood, V.C., C.B. for the Victoria Cross.’

Hutchinson was subsequently present at the storming of Sekukuni’s stronghold and mentioned in Russell’s despatch of 28 November 1879, London Gazette 16 January 1880, ‘... showed the greatest foresight and common sense in supplying the different attacks with ammunition, the supply of which he never allowed to slacken for a moment.’ He was promoted to Captain on 20 March, and Brevet Major on 24 July 1880, and served with the regiment in India from February 1880 to May 1893. His Majority had been confirmed on 7 March 1891, and he retired on 1 May 1895, but was killed in a shooting accident at Towyn on 11 May 1895.