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Auction: 22101 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 172

Victory Medal 1914-19 (Major J. A. Baillie.), good very fine

[D.S.O.] London Gazette 15 November 1901:

'On 4th July 1901, having heard that two despatch riders had crossed the Portuguese border into Swaziland, followed them with one man by moonlight, overtook them, and after a hand-to-hand fight, killed them both and took their despatches.’

Lieutenant Baillie was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, and Corporal W. S. Haines, who accompanied him, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and promoted Sergeant by the Commander-in-Chief.

John Andrew Baillie was born on 22 October 1876, and educated at Douro House School. Prior to the Boer War he served with the British Foreign Office and with the Bombay Police. Whilst on leave from the Bombay Police he served in South Africa during the Boer War in the South African Constabulary. He was appointed Lieutenant in Steinaecker’s Horse on 18 February 1901.

The weekly edition of the Cape Times, dated 31 July 1901, carried the following report:

‘A very exciting incident occurred on the Swazi-Portuguese frontier on Friday last. Lieutenant Baillie of Steinaecker’s Horse had a suspicion that the Boers were running despatches through Portuguese territory so a few days ago he took Lance-Corporal Harris and two troopers to a point where the three frontiers join. Leaving the two troopers to watch the road, Baillie and Harris went on patrol, and shortly after came across two men in Portuguese soldiers’ uniforms. Baillie called out, “Hands up” when the two men immediately dismounted, and getting behind their horses immediately opened fire on Baillie and Harris. Our men returned fire, and one of the men dropped at the first volley. Harris then rushed the other, and tried to club him with the butt of his carbine. A fierce struggle ensued, and several shots were fired, the result being that the second man was also killed. On searching the two supposed Portuguese soldiers they turned out to be two Boer despatch runners and important documents and papers were found on one of them. On one of them was also found a photograph of himself apparently his wife and three children. Both Baillie and Harris have been recommended for promotion by their commanding officer.’

Lieutenant Baillie was at Bremersdorp in July 1901 when the town was attacked by a Boer commando. He commanded the Steinaecker’s Horse Coronation Contingent to London, comprising himself and 10 other ranks, where they participated in the Coronation parade for King Edward VII. Each received the Coronation medal, in silver or bronze as appropriate. Baillie resigned his commission in Steinaecker’s Horse on 2 January 1903, after the cessation of hostilities but continued to serve in the South African Constabulary until he retired in 1908 and returned to England. He joined the Royal Horse Artillery (Territorials) in 1910 and served with them during the Great War as a Major, being wounded and 'mentioned'.

Further intrigue comes into the story for Baillie was struck from the D.S.O. register in 1920 due to conviction, only to be re-instated in 1931.

His Distinguished Service Order, Queen's South Africa Medal and 1902 Coronation were sold at DNW in 1999 and 2009.

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Sold for
£120

Starting price
£50