India General Service Medal 1895. Victoria, silver issue with 3 x clasps 'Relief of Chitral 1895', 'Punjab Frontier 1897-98' & 'Tirah 1897-98' (4177. Pte R. Wood. 1st Bn Gordon Highrs)

Medal is contemporary re-named in engraved capitals

Upper clasps all attached by rivets

Portrait Photograph in Pipers Uniform: A photograph of the recipient in uniform wearing regimental pattern insignia (cap badge on Glengarry & collars),with plaid & plaid brooch wearing the 'Cocked Eage' feathers of a regimental 'Piper', was published in 'The Aberdeen Evening Express' issue of 20 October 1915, see image attached to website listing

Medal(s) & clasps verification: Private Robert Wood's entitlement to the awards of the India General Service 1895 and South African War Medals with respective clasps is confirmed per the below cited regimental campaign medal rolls of the Gordon Highlanders:

- IGS 1895 & clasp 'ROC': WO 100/78 compiled & dated Gharial, British India, 1 July 1896
- IGS 1895 2 x clasps 'PF' & 'Tirah': WO 100/89 dated Gharial, British India, 5 August 1898 'To A.R.'
- QSA 4 x clasps 'Pa' 'Dr' 'Jo' & 'CC': WO 100/203 dated Pretoria, South Africa, 23 August 1901
- KSA & 2 x clasps: WO 100/343 dated, Glasgow, Scotland, 10 November 1902. 'To Army Reserve'

Storming of the Dargai Heights 1897: 2 x Victoria Crosses were awarded to men of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders (vis Piper George Findlater and Private Edward Lawson) for their conspicuous gallantry at the storming of the 'Dargai Heights' on 20 October 1897, during the Tirah campaign. Piper George Findlater, though seriously wounded (shot in both feet - and unable to walk), remained in the open fire-swept battleground, piping his comrades to victory to the skirls of the regimental march 'The Haughs O' Cromdale'

Robert Wood a native of, Daviot, near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where he was born circa 1871. By occupation a 'Groom' he claimed to be 20 years & 5 months of age, when he enlisted for service with the British Army, at, Aberdeen, Scotland, on, 12 April 1892.  On the same day he enlisted he was posted to his local infantry regiment, the Gordon Highlanders (the regiment of his choice), where he trained at the Regimental Depot located in Aberdeen. After completion of his basic training, he was, on, 19 July 1892, initially posted to 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders. Robert subsequently transferred to the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, on 3 March 1893, with which battalion he embarked for overseas service in British India, where he experienced combat on the North West Frontier of India, firstly during the Relief of Chitral, 1895, and secondly during the 'Frontier Disturbances' of 1897-98, in particular in the Tirah Campaign during where his regiment won undying fame and two Victoria Crosses for their gallantry at the 'Storming of the Dargai Heights'. On 31 March 1898. Robert  'transferred' to the Army Reserve - and a brief return to civilian life. He was mobilized from the Army Reserve on, 9 October 1899, on which date he 'Re-joined the Colours', and returned to his old corps, the Gordon Highlanders. He embarked for the South African War on, 9 November 1899, where he served for 2 years 246 days. Robert Wood took his final discharge from the British Army on, 11 April 1904, by which date he had completed 12 years service with 'The Colours' and on the Army Reserve. Most of his overseas service had been spent in British India, where he had served for 5 years & 61 days

The recipient's record of service was:

- Home: 12/04/1892 - 26/01/1893
- British India: 27/01/18923 - 28/03/1898
- Home: 29/03/1898 - 08/11/1899
- South Africa: 09/11/1899 - 12/07/1902
- Army Reserve: 13/07/1902 - 19/04/1903
- Home: 20/04/1903 - 11/04/1904

The recipients service papers are extant and accessible at The National Archives

Robert Wood, is recorded to have died a particularly tragic industrial workplace accident in Aberdeen, Scotland, on 18 October 1915. Local newspapers contained several articles  pertaining to the death, including the below following - with photograph - that was published in 'The Aberdeen Evening Express' issue of 20 October 1915:

Quote.

The Rosebank Granite Works Fatality

Mr Robert Wood, whose tragic death at the Rosebank Granite Works, Rosebank Terrace, Aberdeen, was recorded in our columns yesterday. He was 46 years of age, and as a younger man he served for seven years with the 1st Gordon Highlanders in India. Private Wodd went through various engagements in the Chitral-Tirah frontier campaign, and had the Indian medal with clasps for the relief  of Chitral, 1895,, the Punjab Frontier, 1897-98, and the Tirah, 1897-98. From India, Private Wood went with his regiment to South Africa, where he took part in the South African campaign. Here also he had a medal, with clasps for Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, and Johannesburg. Altogether, Private Wood was the possessor of three service medals. On leaving the army on his return home, he was engaged as coachman to the late Mr Forbes of Corse, and on the death of that gentleman was retained in the service of the family by the present proprietor, Major J.O. Forbes of Corse. On coming to Aberdeen, Mr Wood's abilities as a faithful servant and efficient workman were recognised by master and fellow-employees alike during his engagement at the Rosebank Granite Works. 

Unquote.

Sold together with hard-copy of above referenced article

Condition: Dark Toned GVF

Code: 25948