Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

An interesting Order of St. John group of five awarded to Colonel R. H. Mackenzie, Worcestershire Regiment and The Cameronians, who served as a Gentleman of the King’s Bodyguard in Scotland, and was a published author - his titles including The Third and Fourth Battalions of the Worcestershire Regiment, and the 1913 naval classic The Trafalgar Roll

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer‘s (Brother’s) breast badge, silver and enamel, minor white enamel damage, with contemporary silver riband buckle; Jubilee 1897, silver (Maj. R. Holden 4. Worc. R. Staff Officer.) engraved, with replacement suspension ring; Coronation 1902, silver (Lt. Colonel R. M. Holden) reverse field engraved; Coronation 1911 (Col: R. H. Mackenzie. The Cameronians) engraved; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lt: Col: R. Holden, Worc: Rgt:) 2nd clasp a tailor’s copy, mounted cavalry style, generally very fine or better unless stated otherwise (5) £800-£1,200

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Provenance: Glendining’s, November 1994.

Robert Holden Mackenzie [né Holden] was born at Nuthall Temple, Nottinghamshire in October 1857. He was the son of Charles Holden, who became Paymaster at the Tower of London. Holden was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Worcestershire Militia, 5 July 1878, and advanced to Lieutenant serving with the 2nd Battalion the following year. The Worcestershire Militia became the 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment in line with the Cardwell reforms of 1881, and Holden served with them as Assistant Instructor of Musketry at Norton Barracks.

Holden advanced to Captain in June 1883, and in the same year was aboard H.M.S. Lively when she was wrecked, while attached to the Royal Commission on the Highland Crofters. He subsequently served in a number of Aide de Camp roles, 1885-1889, including as A.D.C. to Sir Walter Sendall, G.C.M.G, Governor of the Windward Islands and to Sir Henry Bulwer, G.C.M.G., Governor of Natal and later Cyprus. It was whilst serving in Cyprus that Holden completed writing, and had published, The Third and Fourth Battalions of the Worcestershire Regiment.

Holden was appointed a Fellow of the Society of Antiquarians in 1887, and had a particular interest with Military and Scottish History and antiquities. He was also appointed a Fellow of the Society of Antiquarians in Scotland in 1904, and in this field he became a member of the Council of the Royal United Service Institute. Holden also went on to publish the important Trafalgar Roll in 1913, and contributed many papers and articles to a number of publications including the Dictionary of National Biography; Scottish Historical Review; Chambers’s Journal and Macmillan’s. For a number of years he was also employed on the staff of the Royal Military Tournament.

Holden served on the Soudan frontier in 1889, first as a volunteer with the British Brigade under General de Montmorency, and then with Colonel Wodehouse in command of the Egyptian Infantry. He had a number of postings prior to advancing to Major in June 1895. The following year Holden was appointed Honorary Major 1st Cadet Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, before transferring to the 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. He was elected an Esquire of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in July 1899. The 3rd Battalion was renumbered as the 5th Battalion, and it was with them that Holden served as a Major and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel during the Second Boer War.

Holden served as A.D.C. to Major-General Sir A. E. Turner, Inspector-General of Auxiliary Forces, 1900-1901. Also serving as a District and Station Commandant for operations in Cape Colony. Upon his return to the UK, Holden transferred to the 4th Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and shortly afterwards changed his name to Robert Holden Mackenzie.

Mackenzie raised the 1st (Highlanders) Cadet Battalion, The Royal Scots in 1911, and also served as a Gentleman of the King’s Bodyguard for Scotland. He died at 4 Glengyle Terrace, Edinburgh in June 1916.

Sold with a copy of The Third and Fourth Battalions of the Worcestershire Regiment; and extensive copied research, including several photographic images of recipient in uniform.