Beschreibung:

Gordon, Alister Fraser, Capt. (later Brigadier-General) (1872-1917), Gordon Highlanders Alister Fraser Gordon played a vital and hitherto unsung role in the storming of the heights at Dargai during the Tirah campaign, one of the most celebrated and iconic feats of arms achieved by British soldiers in the North-West Frontier, which resulted in the award of no fewer than four Victoria Crosses, two of which went to members of Gordon's own regiment. The following description of the battle is by Maj Gen J C Lawrence: 'The Tirah Campaign lasted for almost 18 months. Arguably the most significant engagement of the campaign occurred on the heights surrounding the village of Dargai. Heavily defended, the village could only be reached by an exposed mountain track which ended in open ground immediately below the village. On 19 October 1897, the 3rd Gurkhas and King’s Own Scottish Borderers succeeded in taking the village but, for reasons which are still not entirely clear, they decided not to remain in position overnight. When British forces advanced to reoccupy the village on the morning of 20 October 1897, they found to their cost that overnight hundreds of well-armed tribesmen had infiltrated back into the village. It took determined charges by the Gordon Highlanders, and others, to eventually retake the village. The casualties were significant: over the three days of the Dargai operation, the Gordon Highlanders losses alone were seven officers and 37 other ranks either killed or wounded. Alister Fraser Gordon's personal role in the battle is described graphically in his letter to his mother in lead, faded purple pencil. And his words and conduct are borne out by his portrayal in the famous picture by R. Gibb in the Gordon Highlander Museum The Collection: Personal Correspondence 1895-1917, c. 695 autograph letters, to his mother 1895-1902 and 1914-17, and to his wife Pilar 1915-17; describing 1895 Chitral expedition (arrived too late for any action); 1897 Tirah expedition including the taking of the Heights of Dargai (including 6 quarto albumen prints of Tirah expedition, captioned on verso); 1897-8 Post Tirah, mainly garrison at Gharialm, coming home via Alexandria to UK; 1899 Central Africa, Mauritius, Somalia, then to Ashanti; 1900-01 Ashanti campaign, War of the Golden Stool under General Willcocks; taking of Kumasi and expeditions, awarded DSO; 1901-2 Boer War, via SS Matabele to Pretoria, Wonderbook Fort, Pretoria; 1914 France (Arras, Marne & Ypres) Staff officer DAA & QMG - Temp. colonel 1st Division; 1915 Ypres and Artois Offensive, Staff Officer, then takes command of 92nd Regiment (20 Inf. Bde., 7th Div), April wounded in hand, May wounded in calf, returned to UK; 1916 Commanding 182nd Brigade in England; 1916 Commanding 182nd Brigade on the Somme, visit by Haig, various raids on German lines to distract from main battle area of the Somme, mining and counter mining, losses of 75 officers and 1200 men; 1916 On leave in UK and France, bad car accident, repatriated to England; 1917, In London, then Commanding 153rd Brigade during Nivelle offensive, hit when carrying out recce before taking over part of front line, died of wounds 13th July. Letter from Doctor offering the piece of shrapnel which killed him; Letters to his wife, Pilar: 1916, Commanding 182nd Brigade in England and France; 1916 Battle of Somme; 1917 Takes over 153rd Brigade. Nivelle Offensive, hit on 29th July and dies 2 days later; in total about 695 letters, plus miscellaneous items (e.g. envelopes, dried flowers, bills &c); together with diaries for 1898 (Tirah expedition, garrison life, return home); 1899 (Central Africa, Mauritius, Somalia, Ashanti), 1900 (Ashanti Campaign) (Quantity) Note: A very large collection of detailed personal correspondence from a decorated British soldier, illuminating a distinguished career served in India, Africa and on the Western Front, commencing with the Chitral Expedition of 1895 at the age of 23 and ending with his death in