Description

Offered is a Queens South Africa Medal (1899 -02) with 4 clasps CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL, SOUTH AFRICA 1902, impressed named 2932 BUG^H J. BLACK. HIGHLAND. L.I. Comes with copies of medal rolls, service papers, pension card and M.I.C.

Bugler James Black was born in March 1879 at Edinburgh, a shoe maker by trade, he enlisted with the 4^th (Volunteer) Battalion Highland Light infantry as a 14 year ol ‘boy’ 5/9/1895. Appointed Bugler 28/5/1896. Posted to the 3^rd Battalion (Volunteer) 28/8/1901. He served in the Boer War with the service number 2932. Pte Black served South Africa 24/12/01 – 19/9/02.

Following heavy British losses in the early part of the Second Boer War in 1899, many of the militia battalions were embodied for active service, including the 3rd Battalion Highland Light (formerly the 1st Royal Lanark Militia)

On the 15/12/1902 he transferred to the 1^st Battalion H.L.I and served with them until his discharge in 28/3/1919. He was given the new service number being 5923. He managed to avoid serious injury or disease in his 23 years’ service apart from a 12-day hospital stay in June 1913.

He served: Home 30/8/1895 – 23/12/01. South Africa 24/12/01 – 19/9/02. Home 20/9/02 – 11/10/04. India 12/10/04 – 24/8/1914. Home 25/8/14 – 9/9/14. Egypt 10/9/14 – 29/11/14. France 30/11/14 – 11/12/15. Home 12/12/15 – 22/1/16. Mesopotamia 23/12/16 – 27/3/1919. Home 28/3/19 – 24/4/19.

The Battalion moved to Mesopotamia in December 1915, but Pte Black returned to England 12/12/15 – 22/1/16. He re joining the Battalion in Mesopotamia, possibly given home leave as he had completed 20 years service by that stage.

Also entitled to the 1914 – 15 Star and pair, Long Service and Good Conduct with gratuity. His character being described as exemplary and on the 25/5/1919 was granted a pension for life.

The 1^st Battalion saw some serious fighting including 1914; Battles of La Bassee, 1st Messines and Armentieres. In 1915; Battles of Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Festubert and Loos.

Mesopotamia: Action at Fat-ha Gorge on the Little Zab and the Battle of Sharqat. Jan 1917 Left the 3rd (Lahore) Division and moved to defend Tigris. Sept 1917 Transferred to the 51st Brigade of the 17th Division. 31.10.1918 Ended the war in Mesopotamia, Huwaish on Tigris north of Sharqat.