Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The mounted group of ten miniature dress medals worn by Pipe Major K. MacLeod, Gordon Highlanders

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R.; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Elandslaagte, Def. of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, N.W. Frontier 1908; British War and Victory Medals; Delhi Durbar 1911, silver; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R.; Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue; Germany, Prussia, Order of the Red Eagle, Medal of the Order, silver-gilt, mounted as worn, good very fine (10) £300-£400

D.C.M. London Gazette 20 July 1900.

Kenneth MacLeod was born in 1868, a native of the Isle of Lewis, and attested for the Seaforth Highlanders at Stornaway in December 1887. Posted to the 1st Battalion, he served with them for 8 years before transferring to the Gordon Highlanders in 1896. He served as a Corporal-Piper with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War, and was wounded and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry at the Battle of Elandslaagte on 21 October 1899. The Natal Advertiser gave this account of the action:
‘This gallant Scot was twice struck, once in the arm and once in the side. He however continued to pipe and advance with the Gordons to their final rush. Presently came more bullets, smashing his drones, chanter, and windbag, whereupon the splendid fellow had to give in.’

Captain and Adjutant Streatfield had this to say: ‘Corporal MacLeod, shot through the arm, stood up in the hottest of fire and blew like mad and his men advanced.’ His bagpipes were replaced by silver-mounted pipes by his Colonel.

MacLeod subsequently served at Ladysmith and the action at Belfast. He was appointed Pipe-Major of the Battalion in 1901. During the disturbances of 1908, he served on the North West Frontier of India, and took part in the Delhi Durbar of 1911. Impressed with his playing at the Allahabad Exhibition of 1911, he was presented with the Medal of the Order of the Red Eagle by the Crown Prince of Germany. He retired in 1912, but following the outbreak of the Great War he rejoined his old regiment and served as Pipe-Major with the 9th (Service) Battalion. He was later posted to recruiting duties at Stornoway, and for his services during the Great War was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He died at Stornoway on 24 December 1935.

Note: A contemporary account in relation to the Medal of the Order of the Red Eagle states that MacLeod ‘gravely removed this Order from his breast o’medals in August 1914’.

Sold together with a photographic image of the recipient.