Los Nr. 174

1881 - NATAL 7.3 - MILITARY MAIL - 1st BOER WAR - to GB - from MAJOR JOHN SCOTT NAPIER. Shortly after Majuba battle Franked 4 x 6d ( SG 70 )(quadruple rate). Top right hand corner of second to left stamp missing. Tied by numeral 1 and pen cancel. Arrival CDS ” Selkirk 5 Ap 81 ”. Sent by Colonel John Scott Napier to Mrs. John Scott Napier Scotland and redirected to London. Reverse ms ” 27 - Offic Soldier England 6 rate ”. Probably originally containing news of the disastrous 27 February battle of Majuba. Durban despatch CDS 7.3. and London arrival after redirection ”London Ap 6 81”. Colonel's manuscript initials J.S.N for this military concessionary rate. Scarce military mail from the senior ranks. Slightly roughly opened nonetheless a good example of this early period Boer war mail. Colonel Hon. John Scott Napier was born on 13 November 1848. He was the son of Francis Napier, 10th Lord Napier of Merchistoun and Anne Jane Charlotte Lockwood. He fought in the Afghanistan War between 1878 and 1880, where he was mentioned in despatches three times. He fought in the First Boer War in 1881. Between 1897 and 1905 He was Inspector of Army Gymnasia. He fought in the Boer War in 1900, where he was mentioned in despatches. He gained the rank of Colonel in the Gordon Highlanders and was appointed Companion, Order of St. Michael and St. George.