A Boer War Jagersfontein Drift casualty Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 2 Clasps: Cape Colony, Wittebergen awarded to Private J. Scott, 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders who had earlier seen service during the Black Mountain Expedition of 1888, before seeing service in South Africa during the Boer War where he would take part in the operations in Cape Colony as well as in the action at Wittebergen before he was wounded at Jagersfontein Drift on 16th October 1900 dying of wounds later the same day. He would be one of 9 killed and 12 wounded among the British forces, the Boer’s losing 27 killed in a battle that occurred as a result of a small party of Boers creeping into the town and together with their sympathisers attacked the British Garrison there. He is now remembered on the Memorial on the Corner of States Square and Ferry Road, Dingwall, Highlands.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 Clasps: Cape Colony, Wittebergen; (1063 PTE. J. SCOTT. 2:SEA: HIGHRS.)
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
James Scott attested on 4th March 1884 and initially saw service at home as a Private (No. 1063) with the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He would serve in India from 14th October 1884 until 11th December 1892 including during the Black Mountain Expedition of 1888, which was undertaken against the Black Mountain tribes such as the Hassanzais, Akazais, and Chagarzais between 3rd October and 9th November 1888, and for which he gained the India General Service Medal with Hazara 1888 clasp. He would transferred to the reserve on 12th December 1892 and would be discharged 4th March 1896. Seemingly recalled he would see service in South Africa during the Boer War where he would take part in the operations in Cape Colony as well as in the action at Wittebergen. He would be wounded at Jagersfontein Drift on 16th October 1900 and later died of wounds on the same day.
Jagersfontein was a small mining town just over 100 km south west of Bloemfontein. In mid-October 1900 it was garrisoned by a small detachment of British soldiers under the command of Major King-Hall.
During the night of 15 October a small party of Boers ‘crept’ into the town, and together with sympathisers, attacked the British positions early on the morning of 16 October.
During the two hour engagement the Boers released all the Boers who had been captured by the British that were being housed in the local jail. The Boer losses were 27 killed with the British losses being nine killed and 12 wounded, one of those killed being Private James Scott.
Scott is now remembered on the Memorial on the corner of States Square and Ferry Road, Dingwall, Highlands.
