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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 201

(x) A silver Presentation Bugle presented by the Cowan family to the Highland Light Infantry, made by Henry Potter & Co, London, hallmarked 'H.P London 1901', the bell with feint engraving of a Highland Light Infantry badge above 'from' with a shell like symbol and motto 'SIC ITUR IN ALTUM' in riband below, this being the arms of the Cowan family, fitted with removable white metal mouthpiece this attached to the bugle by a chain, with later decorative tassels with various dents and polishing commensurate with wear, otherwise very fine overall

Highland Light Infantry Chronicle, Vol III, No.10, July 1903:

'A very handsome present has lately been received by the Battalion in the form of twenty solid silver bugles. These have been presented by the brother and sisters of the late Captain J. W. A. Cowan D.S.O. who was killed while Adjutant of the battalion, at the Battle of Magersfontein'.

D.S.O. London Gazette 7 March 1899.

In recognition of services during the outbreak at Kandia on the 6th Sept. 1898.

James William Alston Cowan was the son of Mr J. B. Covan M.D., L.L.D., and was born on 11 December 1899. He was educated at Clifton College and joined the Highland Light Infantry in January 1889. Cowan was promoted Lieutenant in February 1891 and to Captain in 1897. He was appointed Adjutant of his battalion in January 1898 and took part in the occupation of Crete in the same year including the affair of 6 September. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Order and was also mentioned in despatches. The D.S.O. was presented to Cowan by the Queen on his return home. Cowan was sent out to South Africa for the Second Boer War but was killed early in the campaign in the action at Magersfontein on 11 December 1899.

Lieutenant General Lord Methuen reported that at Magersfontein Capt. Cowan "gallantly led and rallied his men and was killed at close quarters".

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

Estimate
£300 to £500

Starting price
£240