*British, 1899-1902, Boer War, Queens South Africa Medal no clasp, 4655 Pte. James McLeod 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders*
A Queens South Africa Medal to 4655 Pte. Jas. McLeod 2nd Batt. Seafth. Highrs (2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders.) It is on a fixed hanger with no clasp. He is recorded as having also received the India Medal with Clasp for the Relief of Chitral 1895 – under the terms of Army Order 72 of 1896.
The Queen’s South Africa Medal is a British campaign medal awarded to British and Colonial military personnel, as well as civilians in official roles, for service in the Second Boer War from 11 October 1899 to 31 May 1902. It includes twenty-six clasps indicating participation in specific actions and campaigns. The medal, without clasp, was awarded to nurses, members of the Royal Navy who served offshore but did not land and to the troops who guarded Boer prisoners on the island of Saint Helena.
The obverse features a crowned and veiled effigy of Queen Victoria facing left with the inscription “VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX.” The reverse, designed by G. W. de Saulles, shows Britannia holding the Union Flag and a laurel wreath, with troops marching inland from the coast in the background, and two men-of-war ships on the left. The top perimeter reads “SOUTH AFRICA.”
Formed in 1881, The Seaforth Highlanders served with the British Army until 1961, when it amalgamated into The Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons). The regiment was created by merging the 72nd (Duke of Albany’s Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot and the 78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot (The Ross-shire Buffs), which became the new unit’s 1st and 2nd Battalions respectively. Both predecessor regiments were stationed in India at the time of the merger. The 2nd Battalion returned home in 1897 after participating in the Hazara Expedition (1888) and Chitral Expedition (1895). In 1899, the 2nd Battalion was deployed to southern Africa for the Boer War (1899-1902), engaging in battles such as Magersfontein (1899) and Paardeberg (1900). Returning to Britain in 1903, the 2nd Battalion was redeployed to the Western Front in August 1914, where it remained throughout World War I.
*Condition*
Medal is in good used condition. It is on a fixed hanger and has no clasps. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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