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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 44

(x) New Zealand 1860-66, undated reverse (Alexander Strachan, Alexandra Cavalry) officially re-engraved naming, light contact marks, very fine

Just 8 Medals known to the Alexandra Cavalry.

Alexander Strachan was born 1846 at Comrie, Scotland, and emigrated to New Zealand in 1851, and joined the Alexandra Cavalry Volunteers in August 1864. He participated at Waikiwi & Waitotara (11 Jan 1865), was under fire at the first engagement at Nukumaru (24-25 Jan 1865), Otautu, near Patea, & at Kakaramea. His claim for the medal stated he had been under fire "upwards of 20 times". He also served in the Commissariat Transport Company in 1865 and stated that in 1868 he served under von Tempsky as well as the Scouts.

Correspondence from the New Zealand Military Forces dated 15 March 1915 clearly state they were issuing a re-engraved New Zealand War Medal to him and were erasing the details of:

'S. Charles Auckland Militia'

This was done rather than simply issuing a separate medal, he received this medal on 1 June 1915. Strachan later farmed at Lornty and died at Wellington in 1928.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£1,000 to £1,500

Starting price
£800