GORDON HIGHLANDER'S INTEREST - A VICTORIAN PIPE CASE John Sanderson & Son, Edinburgh (date letter lacking) circa 1870 the case enclosing a clay pipe with hinged front opening and set with pipe cleaner to stem, engraved with initials crest and ‘92nd HIGHrs’

(15cm long)

Heraldry: With crest and motto of Lieutenant General Sir Edward Cecil Bethune, KCB, CVO Note: Lieutenant General Sir Edward Cecil Bethune gained his first commission in 1875, at the age of 20, within the 92nd Regiment of Foot (Gordon Highlanders). He served with the regiment in the Second Anglo- Afghan ware (1878 – 1880), First Boer War (1880 – 1881) being promoted to Captain in 1884, Likely when this pipe case was presented to him. By 1886 he transferred to the 6th Dragoon Guards and later in 1895 to the 16th (Queens) Lancers sea service as a staff officer in the Madras Command in 1898. His long military career continued at the outbreak of the Second Boer War when he raised and commanded Bethune’s Mounted Infantry, taking part in the Relief of Ladysmith. Mentioned in dispatches three times his service records show he was awarded many decorations. Promoted to Brigadier General in 1905 he received the Companion of the Order of the Bath the same year. He was appointed Commander of the Royal Victoria Order in 1909 after being raised to rank of Major General. Bethune would continue to serve with the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards, West Lancashire Division of the Territorial Force. He served throughout the First World War retiring in 1920 after 45 years service. His final rank was Lieutenant General, having also been awarded the Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.