Transactions of the Franco-Scottish Society / Sociéte Franco-Écossaise (Scottish Branch) 1898-1934

RECORD OF THE 9TH (VOLUNTEER) BATTALION (HIGHLANDERS) THE ROYAL SCOTS - 1909

In 1909 James Fergusson, founder of the 9th Volunteer Battalion Highlanders of the Royal Scots, published a chronicle account of the military history of the battalion. The book holds several photographs from his collection, featuring Major A. A. Gordon some 8 times. The book gives all the officers' commissions and their personal history with the battalion. 

James Fergusson became prior to his commission the Sherriff of Argyll and graduated as a lawyer. He has commissioned as the commander of the 9th Royal Scots on 24 July 1900. Because of his connection with the court, it is not surprising that many of the officers were also a lawyer. One of them was the later famous Captain Alexander Taylor, who unfortunately died in the Scarpe Valley on 27 April 1917, after having fought in the most gruesome fights of the First World War.

A BOOK OF BELGIUM'S GRATITUDE - 1915

‘A Book of Belgium’s Gratitude’ was published in 1915. It contained literary articles by representative Belgians and their translations by various hands, and illustrated throughout in colour and black and white by Belgian artists. Major Gordon was mentioned in the book as a translator. The book was published in recognition of the help and hospitality given by the British Empire and of the relief bestowed by the United States of America during the Great War. The book's profits were placed at the disposal of Her Majesty Queen Mary.

King Albert and Queen Elisabeth wrote the first two letters in the book in their original handwriting. The Right Hon., The Earl of Curzon of Kedleston, translated the letter of King Albert. In comparison, Queen Elisabeth's letter was translated by no other than Major A. A. Gordon, M.V.O

On page 28, we found the chapter ‘Le Belgian Relief Fund' written by Comte de Lalaing ( minister plénipotentiaire) Comte de Lalaing thanked Major Gordon in the following words:

“Before Antwerp fell, several steamers laden with provisions and clothes were given to the Belgian Relief Fund were sent to that town and the contents were distributed to the population of Antwerp and its suburbs, before the arrival of the enemy, thanks to the untiring efforts of the Fund’s honorary secretary, Major Gordon, who from the first assisted me in organising the Fund, and accompanied those vessels to Belgium. Major Gordon’s devoted and disinterested help, a large circle of friends, and great experience were invaluable."

Adventure - J. B. Seely (Lord Mottistone) - 1930 - Signed and dedicated to Arthur James Bartram Kiddell to

The book ‘Adventure’ was published in 1930 by William Heineman, London and was reprinted many times after. The Rt Hon. The Earl of Birkenhead wrote an introduction. The book accounts for Major-General J.E.B. Seely's (Late Lord Mottistone) life and service during the First World War.

The book was signed with the words:

“To my comrade in arms in France and Belgium from 1915 to 1918 with every good wish from.”

Mottistone

Mottistone Manor

Christmas 1933.

With the book came a picture of Lt. General SirEdwin Alderson which was inscribed on the back in pencil with his name and the words “Mounted Infantry in S. Africa Boer War 1900 –1902” and the phrase: “Having commanded the Mounted Infantry with the Cavalry Division changed the war.”

We found a second Lieutenant named Arthur James Bartram Kiddell, who was mentioned on the officer's roll of the 2nd King Edwards Horse. Arthur Kiddell previous had served with the Northumberland Fusiliers, where he was a Lance Corporal and was later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery. In 1939, Kiddell was an Auctioneer & Art Expert Manager at Sotheby’s auction house.

CHURCH OF THE MULTIPLYING OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES - 1937

This book is mentioned in the final chapter of Major Gordon’s memoirs and was sold out in the first year that it was published. To find an originally signed example with its original dust jacket is naturally a treasure for the Kings Messenger Collection. The book was found in America two months ago and was bought afterwards. The Kings Messenger collection contained already a copy without the dust jacket so it was not until now that we actually had the chance to see the original dust jacket. The dust jacket mentions ‘Schneider/Gordon, Church of the Multiplying’ on the spine and holds a photograph of possibly one of the first discoveries of the mosaic. It also contains a wonderful introduction on the inner side. The back of the dust jacket is plain.

CULLED FROM A DIARY - OLIVER & BOYD - 1941

CULLED FROM A DIARY - A. A. GORDON - GIVEN BY SIR DENYS LOWSON - Major Gordon's godson 

THROUGH LANDS OF THE BIBLE - H. V. MORTON - METHUEN & Co - 1944 (second edition)

A HISTORY OF THE 9TH (HIGHLANDERS) ROYAL SCOTS - NEILL GILHOOLEY -2019 (signed)

FOUR WARTIME ENVELOPPE COVERS WRITTEN FROM MAJOR PREUDHOMME TO MAJOR GORDON

These envelope covers were bought on a Belgium auction site and connected with an anecdote between Major Gordon, Major Preudhomme and King Albert I of Belgium. In 1916, King Albert ordered Major Preudhomme to check on the Royal children with Lord Curzon at Hackwood. He also said that the children should write letters to the Pope because his excellency had sent gifts to La Panne for them. The letters were then to be delivered to Major Gordon to deliver them. Once the letters arrived at Apsley House, Major Gordon put them in a large envelope and posted them to the Vatican. After his return to La Panne, King Albert asked who delivered the letters. Major Gordon knew he had made a mistake and said he had posted them in London. The King was surprised but calmly said: "Well, I fancy it will be the first time such a package would be delivered to his excellency by Post."

The contents of these envelopes are never discovered.

WARTIME ENVELOPPE WRITTEN FROM Lieutenant Paul de Liedekerke de Pailhe TO MAJOR GORDON

The envelope was sent on May 5, 1915, by the Belgian Flying officer Lieutenant Paul Marie Charles Raymond Ghislain de Liedekerke de Pailhe. Paul was born on July 23, 1892, in the Belgian capital and married Anne d’Oultremont on November 20, 1920, with who he had three children. Their son James Henri Ghislain Marie de Liedekerke de Pailhe, died a hero’s death on 3 September 1944.

INVITATION TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE FOR THE WEDDING PROCESSION OF PRINCESS MARY 22 FEBRUARY 1922 PRESENTED TO MAJOR GORDON'S COUSIN MARY MACKENZIE

Invitation for Major Gordon's cousin Mary Mackenzie for the wedding procession of Princess Mary on February 22, 1922. Major Gordon's good friends Mr. Sands (curator of Buckingham Palace) and Police Inspector Smith would make sure Mackenzie would receive an outstanding service. 

LETTER WRITTEN FROM MAJOR GORDON TO MRS CROMPTON- Dated 1948

ORIGINAL LETTER FROM MAJOR GENERAL CHARLES GEORGE GORDON

The letter was addressed to Charles Inman Bernard, an editor van de New York Herald. Mr Bernard had sent Gordon a letter to which this letter was replied:

My dear Bernard. Thanks for your letter on 8 April. I had heard before I had left Egypt that there was an endeavour to get cadastral under Colvin, but I thought they would have exchanged letters of it. However, as general (?) brought us to pay for the extra work they (?) to make a map of it, it is not to be regretted: ere many months, the present status in Egypt will be significantly altered. The Turkish Empire will move in 1881, and I am mistaken if they see (?) more than six months. I was glad to hear from you. Give my kind regards to all my friends.

Yours sincerely,

C.G. Gordon (Signature)

C. Bernard Cairo

The letter was sent to Cairo, Egypt, where Mr Bernard was residing. Gordon mentioned Colvin, who is most likely Sir Auckland Colvin, in his response

. Colvin had been holding many secretaryship in the Indian Civil Service and was appointed to the International Commission for Egyptian ‘Debt’Liquidation in 1880, by which he replaced Sir Evelyn Baring. Later that year, he succeeded Major Baring as English controller of Egyptian finance. Charles Inman Bernard later became the New York Tribune Correspondent in Paris and was elected president of the Association of the Foreign Press in Paris and held the position of Chairman in the Havard Club in Paris and author of the book Camilla and Paris War Days. Bernard was later decorated with the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur.