Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War C.B.E., Boer War D.S.O. group of four awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel John Mackie, King’s Own Scottish Borderers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 1st type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck cravat; Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with top bar; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Major, K.O. Scot. Bord.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Major, K.O. Scot. Bord.) these three mounted court style for display, good very fine (4) £2500-2800

C.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919. ‘... for valuable services rendered in connection with the War.’ ‘McKie, T./Maj. & Hon. Lt.-Col. John, D.S.O., Gen. List’

D.S.O. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

John Mackie was born on 9 May 1857, the eldest son of James McKie, of Bargaly, Kirkcudbright. Commissioned as a Lieutenant into the King’s Own Scottish Borderers Militia in 1875, he was advanced to Captain in 1884 and Major in 1899.

With the 3rd Battalion he served in the Boer War where he served in operations in Cape Colony, Orange River Colony and Transvaal; commanded the garrison and was afterwards Provost Marshal at Christiana and was subsequently Commandant at Modder River. For his services he was mentioned in despatches and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. The insignia was presented by the King on 24 October 1902. After the war, the 3rd Battalion was honoured by receiving the Freedom of Dumfries. Major Mackie retired from the Army in 1903. In 1910 he married Violet, the eldest daughter of Sir Oswald Mosely, 1st Baronet.

During the Great War, Mackie served as a Temporary Major and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel on the General List. For his wartime services he was awarded the C.B.E. in 1919.

After the war Colonel Mackie had the honour to unveil the war memorial at Castle-Douglas. As an elderly Colonel, Mackie was one of the Colour Party that in 1929 presented the Colours to Greyfriars Church, Dumfries, at the formal ending of the 3rd (Militia) Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

With a quantity of copied research, together with a C.D., contained in a folder - includes gazette, census, roll, regimental history and newspaper extracts.