Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to include a Fine Collection of Napoleonic Medals

Four: Piper Robert Galbraith, 42nd Royal Highlanders, one of the five pipers who led the Black Watch into Coomassie

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol (3036. Robert. Galbraith. 42. Royal. Highlanders) regimentally impressed naming, light pawnbroker’s mark in reverse field; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (R. Galbraith, Rl. Highlanders); Ashantee 1873-74, 1 clasp, Coomassie (3036. Piper R. Galbraith. 42nd Highds. 1873-4) light pawnbroker’s mark in obverse field; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue (3036 R. Galbraith 42nd Royal Highlanders) fitted with scroll suspension, contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (4) £2000-2500

Robert Galbraith was born in the Parish of Falkirk, Stirling, and enlisted there into the 42nd Highlanders on 7 March 1854, aged 18 years. Galbraith was appointed Piper in 1867 and was one of five regimental pipers at Coomassie. He was discharged on 1 March 1875, after 21 years and 10 days service with the Colours.

‘In the Ashanti War there was an instance of bravery under circumstances more trying than open battle. When the Black Watch entered Coomassie, they had to march through a dense jungle infested by savages. But they formed in procession, and, headed by the pipers, and firing at hidden enemies on either side, they stepped-

“Into the depth of the forest shade
Into the gloom of the chasm made,
Into the ambush of deadly night,
In midst a dashing glare of light.
Quick in response a volley burst
With deadly aim, the foemen curst.
High o’er the din the pipers blew,
The hardy Scots marched two by two,
No halt, no pause, the swinging pace
Lost not one atom’s form or grace”

And they got into Coomassie, but it must have taken no ordinary courage to make men play at the head of such a column, themselves with no weapons of defence. Firing at unseen foe among the kopjes of the Transvaal was child’s play to it.’

‘...Regimental pipers are, however, quite often Lowlanders, and it is doubtful if any Highland town can boast of having had five pipers in one regiment, as Falkirk, a Lowland town, can. Robert Galbraith, from Falkirk, joined the 42nd in 1854, and served through the Crimea, the Indian Mutiny, and the fighting which ended at Coomassie. Pipe-major James Honeyman, still alive, came through the Mutiny and Ashanti Wars, leading his regiment into Coomassie. John Honeyman, his brother, was also a piper, and so was their father before them. The fifth 42nd piper was James Wotherspoon, who joined after the Mutiny and followed his colours to the Gold Coast [awarded the D.C.M.]. Besides, two other Falkirk men were pipers in the Black Watch - Alexander Mac Intosh and George W. Alexander - making a record which can hardly be beat by any other town of similar size, Highland or Lowland.’ (The Highland Bagpipe, William Laird Manson, refers)

Sold with relevant copied medal rolls and discharge papers.