The impressive Great War C.B., C.M.G., Boer War D.S.O., and M.V.O. group of twelve awarded...

The impressive Great War C.B., C.M.G., Boer War D.S.O., and M.V.O. group of twelve awarded to Brigadier-General Robert Scott-Kerr, Colonel Commanding Grenadier Guards, a veteran of the Zulu War of 1879 and the Suakin campaign of 1885, he was awarded the D.S.O. for services in the Boer War of 1899-1902; Scott-Kerr commanded the 4th (Guards) Brigade of the B.E.F. in their fierce rear-guard action at Villers-Cottérêts during the retreat from Mons, 1 September 1914, himself being severely wounded in the thigh

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge converted for neck wear, silver-gilt and enamels; The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, with integral top ribbon bar; The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 4th Class breast badge, silver-gilt, gold and enamels, the reverse numbered ‘142’; South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (2nd Lieut. R. Scott Ker. 1-24th Foot.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (Lieut: R. Scott-Kerr. 3/Gren: Gds.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (Major R. Scott-Kerr, D.S.O., Gren: Gds:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Maj. R. Scott-Kerr. D.S.O. Gren. Gds.); 1914 Star, with clasp (Brig: Gen: R. Scott-Kerr. C.B. M.V.O. D.S.O.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Brig. Gen. R. Scott-Kerr.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1884-6, clasp back-straps of the campaign medals cut back to facilitate mounting, the last ten mounted court-style by Hunt & Roskell, Ltd. as worn, minor chipping to wreaths of D.S.O., light contact marks to the earlier campaign medals, otherwise generally good very fine or better (12) £5,000-£7,000

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Robert Scott-Kerr was born on 8 November 1859, eldest son of William Scott-Kerr, of Sunlaws and Chatto, and of his second wife, Frances Louisa, daughter of Robert Fennessy. He was gazetted to the 24th Foot 26 March 1879, and served with his regiment in the Zulu Campaign of 1879, and was present at the Battle of Ulundi (Medal with clasp). He transferred as Second Lieutenant to the Grenadier Guards on 26 November 1879, and became Lieutenant on 1 July 1881. He served in the Sudan Expedition of 1885 at Suakin, receiving the Medal with clasp and the Bronze Star. He was promoted to Captain on 16 December 1890, and to Major on 19 September 1896.
Major Scott-Kerr served in the South African War, 1900-2, and was present in operations in the Orange River Colony, April to May, 1900; operations in Orange River Colony, May to 29 November 1900, including actions at Biddulphsberg and, Wittebergen (1 to 29 July); operations in the Transvaal, February to March, 1901; operations in Orange River Colony, December 1900, to February 1901, and March, 1901, to 31 May, 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901), received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 27 September 1901): “Robert Scott-Kerr, Major, Grenadier Guards. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.” The Insignia were sent to Lord Kitchenern in South Africa, and were presented by Brigadier-General E. O. F. Hamilton at Heilbron on 12 March 1902.

He became Lieutenant-Colonel on 14 February 1904; was given the Brevet of Colonel on 14 February 1907; and became Colonel on 7 November 1908. Colonel Scott-Kerr commanded the Grenadier Guards and Regimental District from 30 July 1910, to 29 July 1914. At the beginning of the war, from 5 August 1914, he commanded the 4th (Guards') Brigade, B.E.F., and he was severely wounded during the Retreat from Mons.

Lord Ernest Hamilton, in "The First Seven Divisions" (published by Messrs. Hutchinson), says on pages 76 and 77 that at Villers-Cottérêts
"we were again forced into a rearguard action. At nine o'clock the 4th (Guards') Brigade, which was acting rearguard, was overtaken at Soucy, where in accordance with orders it had faced about while the 2nd Division was having a two hours' halt for rest and dinner. It was no case of surprise, the brigade being thoroughly prepared, and, indeed, expecting to have to hold the enemy in check.
Dispositions were therefore made accordingly. The 2nd Grenadiers and 3rd Coldstream held the ground from Montgobert to Soucy, with the Coldstream lining the long grass ride that runs through the woods at Haramont. They were supported by batteries of the 41st Brigade, R.F.A. The 2nd Coldstream and Irish Guards were posted in rear of the first line along the northern edge of the Forêt de Villers-Cottérêts, at the base of the ridge known as the Rond de la Reine. The enemy commenced by shelling the front line, and shelling it with such accuracy that General Scott-Kerr ordered the Grenadiers and 3rd Coldstream to fall back through the second line, and take up a position in rear. This was done, but subsequently these two battalions were brought up into line with the Irish Guards along the northern edge of the wood, whilst the 2nd Coldstream were sent back to take up a covering position in rear of the wood, along the railway east and west of Villers-Cottérêts Halte. Such was the position without much change up to midday, when the enemy's attack began to slacken, and shortly afterwards they appeared to have had enough of it, and drew off. The 4th Brigade thereupon resumed its march as far as Thury, which was reached about 10.30 p.m. Their casualties in this action amounted to over 300. The Irish Guards in this action had Colonel the Honourable G. Morris and Lieut. Tisdall killed; Major Crichton and Lord Castlerosse wounded. In the Grenadiers the Hon. J. Manners and Lieut. McDougall were killed, and in the Coldstream, Lieut. G. Lambton was killed and Capt. Burton and Capt. Tritton wounded. The Brigadier-General Scott-Kerr was himself badly wounded in the thigh, and the command of the brigade was taken over by Colonel Corry."
Brigadier-General Scott-Kerr’s injuries proved so severe that he never again held a field command. He commanded a brigade, Central Force, Home Defence, from 2 January 1915, to 26 March 1915; was commander (graded A.A.G.), 10th and 11th Divisions, New Armies, 15 October 1915, to 7 December 1915; and Brigade Commander, 191st Infantry Brigade, Home Forces, 8 December 1915, to 14 January 1918. He was created a C.B. in 1914, a C.M.G. in 1919, and was twice mentioned in Despatches. He retired in 1919 and died at Sunlaws, Kelso, on 25 November 1942.

For the recipient’s related miniature medals, see Lot 450.