Seven: Quarter-Master and Captain W. Lister, 14th London Regiment, The London Scottish, late The Gordon Highlanders, The Cameron Highlanders and The Seaforth Highlanders

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (1142 Q.M. Sgt., Gordon Highrs.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1142 Q.M. Serjt., Gordon Highrs.); 1914-15 Star (Q.M. & Lieut., Gord. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Q.M. & Capt.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Col./Sjt., Gordon Highrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (1142 C. Sjt., Gordon Hdrs.) the 1914-15 trio with second initial ‘D.’, contact marks and edge bruising, very fine and better (7) £350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to The Gordon Highlanders and Associated Units from the Collection of A.J. Henderson.

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William Lister was born at Ceres in Fife in August 1867 and enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders during the course of 1883. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he served continuously throughout the Boer War, being present in all of the Regiment’s major engagements, including Elandslaagte and the Defence of Ladysmith. Posted to the permanent staff of the 6th Volunteer Battalion after the War, he was awarded the L.S. and G.C. Medal in July 1907 and was discharged to a pension as a Colour-Sergeant in the following year.

Lister re-enlisted in the 10th Gordons soon after the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914 and was immediately granted a Quarter-Master’s commission. In July 1915 he accompanied the Battalion to France, transferring to the 7th Cameron Highlanders in May 1916, when the 8th and 10th Battalions of the Gordons were merged.

In June 1917, he was attached to the 5th Army Infantry School and in November 1918 he was posted to the 8th Seaforth Highlanders, having been advanced to Quarter-Master and Captain in September 1917. Later still he was posted to the 2nd Battalion of the 14th (County of London) Battalion of the London Regiment (the London Scottish), with which he remained until he was released in January 1920, and finally demobilised in September of the following year.

Lister, who had two sons who fought in the Great War, one winning a D.C.M. and being commissioned into the 3rd Dragoon Guards, and the other killed in action at the Battle of Loos, was awarded his M.S.M. in Army Order 205 of 1941, when he was 74 years of age.