Product Details
AN INTERESTING COLLECTION OF PERSONAL EPHEMERA PERTAINING TO GEN. SIR REGINALD WINGATE AND MISS ALICE STRACHAN,
the Lot comprises a copy of 'The Story of the Gordon College and its Work' written by Wingate and with a personal dedication to Miss Strachan, the précis of one of Wingate's speeches in note form, Miss Strachan's certificate of inclusion into the Register of Medical Electricity and issued by The Chartered Society of Massage and Medical Gymnastics, three Royal Naval Christmas cards to Miss Strachan from friends and relations aboard H.M.S. Crescent, H.M.S. York and T.s.s. Letitia, a New Year's greeting card from Wingate, a leather wallet (Morrocan leather interior) incorporating a small journal and signed 'John Forrest, Kelso, August 15th 1884', a hand-written note to Miss Strachan from Wingate on behalf of H.R.H. The Princess Royal explaining that she would be happy to receive her in relation to her professional services and a cased, gilt scarf clip-broach set with a single stone (probably moonstone) and supplied by 'Hartley, 45 Albermarle St., London, W.'
Provenance: Miss Alice Strachan, C.s.m.m.g. was a reputable and highly-thought of general and sports masseuse who operated from her base at Stenton near Dunbar. Her services were Employed by H.R.H. The Princess Royal in connection with a back complaint and the reception letter from Knockenhair is dated 4th August 1930. The vendor has informed us that the clip-brooch was given to Miss Strachan by H.R.H. as a measure of her gratitude.
General Sir Francis Reginald Wingate, 1st Baronet G.c.b. G.C.V.O. G.b.e. K.C.M.G. D.S.O. T.D. was born 25th June 1861 at Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, although his family moved to Jersey when he was just one, following the death of his father.
He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in July 1889 after entering the R.M.A. at Woolwich. This led to a military career that saw him distinguish himself on several occasions. His active service began in India and Aden where he acquitted himself well and then, after a brief period in England as A.D.C. to Sir Evelyn Wood, he re-joined the Egyptian Army under Sir Francis Grenfell. He spent the remainder of his army career in the troubled Sudan where he showed himself to be a brave and gallant officer whose promotion seemed assured with each passing skirmish.
As Director of Military Intelligence, he served in the battles of Omdurman and Atbara, and also the expedition to Fashoda. For a three month period in 1897 he was sent to Abyssinia as second-in-command of the Rennell Rodd mission, for which he was awarded the Star of Ethiopia 2nd Class. He was also promoted to Brevet Colonel and made an extra A.D.C. to Queen Victoria.
In December 1899 Lord Kitchener was sent to South Africa to shore-up Britain's position during the Second Boer War. Wingate succeeded him as Governor-General of the Sudan and Sirdar of the Egyptian Army, and was also promoted to Major-General in the same month. His period of administration was highly successful, especially when remembered how unstable the country had been for some while, and he was able to inject a degree of prosperity and solidity into the area.
In 1917, Wingate, by now a full General, succeeded Sir Henry McMahon as High Commissioner in Egypt. However, his tenure was neither long, nor trouble-free and he was relieved of the post after only two years. Egypt at that time was in political turmoil, and him being offered the position could be seen as rather a poisoned chalice; the intense riots incited by Saad Zaghlul plagued the country, and Wingate was made a scapegoat for them by the British Government. Not happy with his treatment, Wingate declined to resign, even after his replacement Lord Allenby had taken the reins. He did not hold office again, and retired from the army in 1922. He then became a director of several companies as well as holding honorary positions in the army.
His cousin, Orde Wingate, was heavily influenced by him. He too enjoyed a shining army career and was the creator of the Chindits.
Estimate £20-40