India General Service, 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (Lieut. G. M. Wylie. 2d Bn 2d Goorkhas.), about extremely fine. Lieutenant Gordon Macleod Wylie (1873-1897) was born in India on 27 October 1873, the eldest son of Major-General Henry Wylie and his wife Melian (née Chadwick). He was killed in action at Tseri Kandao Pass in Afridi, Tirah, on 16 November 1897 while attached to the 1st/2nd (Prince of Wales’s Own) Gurkha Rifles. An account of his death is included in ‘The Campaign in Tirah, 1897-98’ by Hutchinson, which records that: “It was shortly before the summit was reached that poor young Wylie of the 2nd Gurkhas was killed. He was the brightest and best of boys, a great favourite in his regiment and out of it. Shortly before he was hit he had been exposing himself somewhat recklessly, but, in deference to a friendly suggestion from his colonel, had got under cover, lying flat behind a rock. In this position he cautiously raised himself on his elbow while he turned round to speak to his men a little in rear of him. His head must have shown above the rock, for he was instantly shot through the brain, and, of course, killed on the spot. Captain Macintyre, his great friend in the regiment, seeing him drop, at once went out under a heavy fire and brought in his body, which was carried into Camp Maidan the same evening.” See also preceding lot and following lot.
Estimate: £600-£800