Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 18002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 230

(x) The 91st (Argyllshire) Regiment

The 1st Battalion was sent to the Cape of Good Hope from St Helena in 1839 and took part in a punitive expedition against Chief Tola who had been stealing settlers' cattle. On 22 May 1846, sixty men of the 91st came under heavy attack whilst escorting supply wagons between Fort Peddie and Trompeter's Drift; most of the wagons had to be abandoned to the Kaffirs.

A Reserve Battalion was formed in April 1842 and joined the 1st Battalion at Grahamstown. After considerable inactivity, the 91st suddenly found themselves in the heat of the action, indeed on 16 April 1846 they were in very real danger of being overwhelmed, losing six men killed and wounded when fighting their way through the woods of the Amatola Hoek. Emboldened by their successes the Kaffirs poured down upon the colonists and the 91st, scattered along the various outposts, suffered a number of men killed and wounded; when troops again entered the Amatolas, they came across the remains of an Argyll who had been tortured and burned to death tied to the wheels of a wagon.

South Africa 1834-53 (Corpl. Jas. Hutton. 91st. Regt.), minor edge nicks and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine


James Hutton is recorded on the roll as serving in the Third War.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£400