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Auction: 17001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 283

Pair: Major F. A. Black, Highland Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers, a prominent Scottish solicitor, astronomical author and keen supporter of 'the art of big gun shooting in its more primitive form'

Volunteer Force Long Service, E.VII.R. (Major F. A. Black. The H'land R.G.A.V.); Territorial Decoration, G.V.R. silver, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1912, the reverse engraved, 'Major F .A. Black, The H'land R.G.A.V.', in its Garrard & Co., case of issue, good very fine (2)

Frederick Alexander Black was a solicitor by profession, in addition to his duties as an officer in the Highland Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers. A copied newspaper obituary - entititled 'Well Known Solicitor. The Late Mr. F. A. Black, Inverness' - states, among other observations:

'From his boyhood Mr. Black was interested in Volunteering, and very early he became a subaltern in the local Highland Volunteer Artillery, in which he attained the rank of Major before his retirement. In his duties he exhibited very keen interest, and the manner in which he encouraged the men under him to progress in the art of big gun shooting in its more primitive form in those early days made him one of the most popular members of the Corps. When the Great War broke out Mr. Black, although up in years, felt that he ought to "do his bit" and readily offered his services. He was instrumental in forming the Inverness Volunteer Training Corps, which many citizens joined. Afterwards Mr. Black was asked to do duty on Sir Auckland Geddes' staff and for some years he was stationed at Dunbarton and Dundee, where he was highly praised for his meritorious services in recruiting and other work.'

The same source adds:

'Besides being a busy lawyer, Mr .Black possessed a great application for study, and found time to devote himself to scientific subjects, such as astronomy and its varied problems. He was the author of "Terrestrial Magnetism and Its Causes", "Natural Phenomena", and "Problems in Time and Space"- books which attracted considerable attention. The studies were praised for the author's keen observation, research and sound thinking. For many years Mr. Black was an enthusiast in the reform of the calendar, and two years ago, after much study, he published a volume entitled "The Calendar and Its Reform" which also attracted much attention. These abtruce subjects were dealt with in informative and learned fashion, and will be memorials to Mr. Black as a very keen student of that reform.'

For the recipient's miniature award and cap badge, please see Lot 424.

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