Beschreibung:

Dargai Hero’ Regimental Serjeant-Major W. Rennie, Gordon Highlanders, who was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal and awarded a mentioned in despatches for his gallantry at Dargai, 18 October 1897, where he shot down four of the enemy India General Service 1895-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Chitral 1895, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (2967 Pte., 1st Bn. Gord. Highrs.) with customised carriages between 1st & 2nd clasps; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Belfast (2967 Sgt., Gordon Highrs.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (2967 Serjt., Gordon Highrs.); 1914-15 Star (2967 C.S. Mjr., Gord. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (2967 W.O. Cl. 2, Gordons.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (2967 Sjt. Maj., Gordons.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2967 C. Sjt., Gordon Hdrs.), edge bruising, contact marks, earlier medals polished good fine; later medals very fine and better (8) £700-800 Footnote William Rennie received the rare honour for an 'Other-Rank' of a mention in despatches for his gallantry in the 'Reconnaissance of Dargai' on 18 October 1897, the award being published in the London Gazette of 1 March 1898:

‘No 2697, Private W. Rennie, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, who shot down four of the enemy at very close quarters.’

William Rennie, was a native of Burthol Chappel, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where he was born circa 1870. By trade he described himself as a 'Farm Servant' and was 18 years and 3 months of age when he enlisted at Aberdeen, Scotland, on 30 May 1888, for service with the British Army, and his local regiment, the Gordon Highlanders. William subsequently served overseas in Ceylon for 1 year and 19 days between 1890-91, and then in India for 6 years and 275 days between 1892-98, during which time he served in the Chitral campaign of 1895, and was again in the thick of the fighting on the North West Frontier of India during the Punjab Frontier and Tirah expeditions of 1897-98, during which both William and his regiment covered themselves in glory for their gallantry at Dargai in October 1897. After returning with 1/Gordons to the United Kingdom in October 1898, William was appointed Lance Corporal on 23 February 1899, and promoted to Corporal on 19 April 1899. He continued to serve with 1/Gordons throughout the duration of the South African War, serving a total of 2 years and 348 days in South Africa between 9 November 1899 to 22 October 1902. While in South Africa, and during the war, William was promoted to Sergeant on 4 January 1902. Shortly after his return to the United Kingdom he married Helen Wark Watson at Edinburgh, Scotland, in December 1902. Still serving with 1/Gordons, William was on 25 February 1907, further promoted to Colour Sergeant and appointed 'Instructor of Musketery'. On 30 November 1908, he was transferred to the staff of the 4th 'City of Aberdeen' (Territorial Force) Battalion Gordon Highlanders, which battalion he continued to serve with through to 18 December 1916. Evidently a skilled marksman and valuable regimental instructor of musketery, William also passed a course of instruction in 'Care and Inspection of Small Arms and Machine Guns' at Enflield Lock, England, on 16 December 1913. Company Sergeant Major Rennie served in France at the battle of Loos and elsewhere on the Western Front. After return to the United Kingdom in December 1916, Company Sergeant Major Rennie was posted to the 3rd Battalion Gordon Highlanders on 18 December 1916, and then to 42nd Training Reserve Battalion Gordon Highlanders on 12 February 1917. William was promoted Acting Sergeant Major on 13 March 1917 and remained with the 42nd Training Reserve Battalion of his regiment until he took his final discharge from the British Army on 21 January 1918. Awarded the M.S.M. by A.O. 73 of 1949. The following tribute was published in the Aberdeen Journal, issue of 8 October 1919: ‘Retirement of Dargai Hero - R.S.M. W