Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Boer War Magersfontein D.C.M. group of three awarded to Private J. Hamilton, Seaforth Highlanders

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (6272 Pte. J. Hamilton, 2/Seaforth Hdrs.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal, Wittebergen (6272 Pte. J. Hamilton, 2 Sea. Highrs.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (6272 Pte. J. Hamilton, Seaforth Highrs.), edge bruising, contact marks and polished, thus good fine or better (3) £2400-2800

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

James Hamilton was a painter residing and working in Edinburgh when he attested for the Seaforth Highlanders at Fort George in September 1898, giving his father - Thomas Hamilton, of 10 Drumdrydon Street, Edinburgh - as his next of kin.

Drafted to the 2nd Battalion in early 1899, he served in South Africa from October of the same year until February 1903, and saw action in the Boer War, including the action at Paardeberg. It was, however, for his gallant deeds at the battle of Magersfontein on 11 December 1899, that he won his D.C.M., in addition to a mention in despatches from Lord Kitchener (London Gazette 10 September 1901, refers); The Edinburgh Evening News duly commissioned a portrait drawing of Hamilton which appeared in print on 2 October 1901.

The action at Magersfontein, fought near Kimberley on the borders of Cape Colony and the Orange Free State, was a costly one, the regiments of the Highland Brigade suffering heavily: the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders’ losses amounted to five officers and 53 other ranks killed, and seven officers and 136 other ranks wounded, in addition to 14 of its ranks being taken prisoner. Not a few of these losses were inflicted as the Seaforths pushed close to the Boer trenches, one party ascending one of the surrounding hills, the whole under a heavy fire.

Having been promoted to Lance-Corporal in November 1902, Hamilton was reduced to Private in December 1904 and discharged to the Army Reserve in September 1905. Called up from the Reserve in August 1914, he joined the 3rd Battalion, Seaforths at Fort George, and remained employed in the U.K. for the duration of the Great War. Thus postings to the 10th Officer Cadet Battalion in April 1916; 466 (Home Service) Company, Labour Corps in August 1917; 16th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in March 1918; 4th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in June 1918 and a return appointment to the staff of 10th Officer Cadet Battalion in June 1918. He was discharged at Perth in February 1919, his service record revealing a number of disciplinarian actions being taken against him on account of drunkenness; sold with copied research.