PRE WW1 SUDAN & BOER WAR MEDAL GROUP 4398 TAIT SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERES CRETE MALTA

Offered is a multi campaign medal group to Private Alexander Taite, who served with the 1st and 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders in India, Malta, Crete, Egypt/Sudan and South Africa during his time in the colours.

Offered is a Queen's Sudan Medal (1896-98) engraved named 4398. PTE A. Tait. 1/SEA: Hrs:; Khedive's Sudan Medal (1896-1908), with 2 clasps, THE ATBARA, KHARTOUM, engraved named 4398 PTE. A. TAIT 1ST SEA. HIGHRS; Queen's South Africa Medal (1899-1902), with 3 clasps, CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL, impressed named 4398 PTE. A. TAIT. 2: SES: HIGHRS: King's South Africa Medal (1901-02), with 2 clasps SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902, impressed named 4398 PTE. A. TAIT. SEAFORTH HIGHRS:; Court mounted for display. Comes with copies service records, medal rolls and Regimental History extracts.

Alexander Tait was born at Scremerston, Northumberland in February 1871, a coal miner by trade he enlistment in the Seaforth Highlanders at Berwick-upon-Tweed on 12/11/1892. After basic training at the depot, he was posted to the 1st Battalion 23/2/1893. At the time the Battalion was stationed in Ireland but was responsible for sending draughts of trained men to keep up the strength of the 2nd Battalion who were stationed in India. Pte Tait was posted to the 2nd Battalion 4/12/1893.

In 1893, the 2nd Battalion had just moved from Rawalpindi to Ferozepore. In March 1895 the Battalion was part of the 3rd Brigade which was sent to the relief of the besieged British Garrison at Chitral.

In 1897 the 1st and 2nd Battalion exchanged duties as the home and foreign service Battalions. The 1st Battalion was posted to Malta and the 2nd Battalion as the home service battalion sent draughts to make the 1st Battalion up to strength. Pte Tait was sent back to the 1st Battalion 23/1/1897 at Malta.

Occupation of Crete 1897

Due to the ongoing tensions on Crete an international force from Britain, France, Russia, Italy and Austria was sent to the island as a peacekeeping force. Pte Tait served there from 22/3/1897 – 3/8/97 returning to Malta.

Egypt & the Sudan

The history of the 1st Battalion Seaforth gives the date of the landing in Cairo, Egypt as March 1898, (Pte Tait’s records show 5/1/1898) moving by train, Nile river boat, Kitchener’s desert railway, sailing boat and camel they moved south to join the Army under Kitchener. He fought at the battle of Atbara River 5/4/1898 and at the battle of Omdurman against the Dervishes. On completion of the campaign the battalion returned to garrison Cairo.

Boer War

The 1st Battalion garrisoned Egypt and sent drafts of men to the 2nd Battalion who were fighting in the Boer War. Pte Tait was transferred to the 2nd Battalion 14/5/1900. It is probable that he became ill as he was transferred invalid (? Various dates next to notation) and returned to England 11/9/1902. Discharged 11/11/1904 at the completion of his 12 years.