Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Major J. Masson, Royal Scots Fusiliers

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (990 Lce. Corpl. J. Masson. 2-21st. Foot.) Lance part of rank officially corrected; India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Burma 1887-89, Burma 1885-7, clasps remounted in this order, as usual (990 Sergt. J. Masson 2d. Bn. R. Sco. Fus.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (Hon. Lt: & Qr: Mr: J. Masson, R. Scots Fus:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lieut: & Qr:- Mr: J. Masson. Rl: Scots Fus:); Coronation 1911, unnamed as issued, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (5) £1,000-£1,400

James Masson was born in Aberdeen on 17 July 1858 and attested the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1878. He served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa during the Zulu campaign 1979-81, and in the operations against the Sukukuni, and also took part in the Transvaal Campaign. Advanced Sergeant, he subsequently served throughout the Second Burma War. He was appointed Quartermaster, with the rank of Honorary Lieutenant, on 3 June 1899, and served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War, taking part in the Relief of Ladysmith; the operations of the 17 to 24 January 1900; the operations of 5 to 7 February, including he action at Vaal Krantz; on Tugela Heights, 14 to 27 February; in Natal, March and April 1900; in the Transvaal, May and June 1900; and in the Cape Colony, north of the Orange River, including the action at Ruidam.

Masson retired with the rank of Major in 1913, but was called up following the outbreak of the Great War, and passed the medical examination for service abroad if necessary. He died in hospital in Portsmouth on 1 May 1915, aged 56, and is buried under a C.W.G.C. headstone in Portsmouth (Highland Road) Cemetery.

Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient that appeared in the recipient's obituary in the Aberdeen Evening Express of 29 May 1915.