The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

UKNIWM/WMR 30508

At the west end of the north aisle of St Andrews Episcopal Cathedral, Aberdeen is the stone tablet detailed below. Above the dedication tablet is a carved portrait of the deceased, with a palm tree, pyramids and a ship in the background.

TO THE MEMORY OF/LIEUTENANT COLONEL RWT GORDON 93RD SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS WHO DIED ON BOARD THE HOSPITAL SHIP 'GANGES'AT PORT SAID ON THE 31ST MAY 1885, RETURNING FROM ACTIVE SERVICE/A GOOD SOLDIER AND A TRUE FRIEND/ERECTED BY HIS COMRADES

There is a photo of the memorial on the WMR report.

Although the WMR number is an old one, this is a brand new record,reusing an old number

anne park

MEMORIAL TO THE LATE COLONEL R. W. T. GORDON. A beautiful white-marble tablet, designed by Colonel Nightingale, and executed by Edwards & Son, sculptors, Vauxball Road, to the contract of Stevens & Co., Bayswater, has lately been placed on the north side of St Andrew's Church, Aberdeen, in memory of the late gallant Provost-Marshal of the forces at Suakim. The inscription is as follows:— To the memory of Lieutenant-Colonel R. W. T. Gordon, 93rd Sutherland Highlanders, who died on board the hospital ship Ganges, at Port Said, the 31st May, 18S5, returning from active service. A good soldier and a true friend. Erected by his comrades." In bas-relief above the inscription stands a full-length and exact likeness of the deceased officer in full Highland uniform. His right hand holds the plumed shako, and the left leans upon his sword. In the background on the right are seen the Pyramids and an Egyptian palm, and on the left a troopship in the Suez Canal, in the neighbourhood of i which Colonel Gordon's best service was performed. All who knew the gallant officer and have szen the tablet declare the likeness to be faultless. The subject of the memorial had an active and distinguished military career. Born on the 3rd of December, 1838, he got his commission as ensign in February, ISSB, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant at the end of 1861, to the rank of captain in 1573, to the rank of brevetmajor m 1874, to the rank of major (in his old regiment, the 93rd Highlanders) in ISSI, and to the rank of brevet lieutenant-colonel in November, 1882. During these years he saw much active service. He first smelt fire in the north-west frontier of India Ampaign of 1563-4, and was present at the action of the Umbeyla Pass, for which he received the medal and clasp. He next served in the Ashantee war of 1873-4, and took part in the defence of Abrakrampa and the.actions of Ainsa and Fairowa. was subsequently mentioned in despatches, was appointed to the rank of brevet-major, and received the Ashantee war medal. In 1882 he was appointed to accompany the first Egyptian expedition, and acted as brigade-major of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, at the battle of Te'.-el-Kebir. He was again mentioned in despatches, was promoted to the rank of brevet-lieutenant-colonel, and was awarded the 4th class of the Osmanlieh, the medal and clasp, and the Khedive's bronze star. He was also assistant-adiutant-general in the first Soudan campaign under Lieutenant- General Sir Gerald Graham, and commanded the base of operations. was piesent at the battle of Tamai, for which he received two clasps. After this campaign he was employed on special service in Egypt. On General Giaham being appointed to the command of the second Soudan expedition, he was gazetted provost marshal of the entire force, with the rank of assistant-adjutant-general. For comparatively young officer, his staff service was very great, he having been engaged for special service in Ashantee, at Malta, at Aldershot, in Turkey (on the Boundary Commission), at Cyprus, and finally, we have said, in Africa.
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.