Watch List notes:

GREAT BRITAIN: AV medal (34.48g), 1902, 0.9238 AGW, 46mm 20kt gold award medal of the Highland Society of London for bagpiping, arms of the Society with AN COMUNN GAELACH below with crowns extending out from edge of each quarter angle (i.e., 45, 135, 225, and 315 degrees) / (engraved) PIO BAEREACHD / WON BY / WILLIAM ROSS / OBAN / 1902 within broken circle with THE CHAMPION MEDAL OF THE HIGHLAND SOCIETY OF LONDON around, with attached gold loop, an important historical item, plain edge, About Unc. Pipes/drums reader and piping scholar Jeannie Campbell said, "Concerning the 1902 Medal, the winner was William Ross, born 1865 in Urquhart, Ross-shire, parents John Ross, Annie Davidson, died 1930 in Edinburgh. (Brother of P-M George Ross, Black Watch.) William enlisted 1889 Black Watch. Served in Crete during the insurrection, April 1894 Pipe-Corporal 2nd Black Watch at Maryhill Barracks. October 1894, P-M 1st Seaforth. 1896-98 Sudan campaign. Wounded Atbara April 1898. June 1900 P-M on permanent staff 4th Militia Batt HLI. 1900 HLI South African War. Awarded long service and good conduct medals 1909. Discharged on pension 1912. 1914-16 P-M Royal Scots (Queens Edinburgh Rifles) at home Edinburgh. Won Oban Gold Medal 1902. Composer of "Olive Groves of Candia". He accompanied the Scottish Curlers to Canada 1911-12. When asked how he enjoyed himself he replied, 'My, it was cold out there, but they kept some grand whisky.' He married Hughina Cameron 1894 in Hillhead Glasgow when he was a Lance-Corporal in the Black Watch stationed at Maryhill Barracks. Children: Johanna 1894, Williamina 1897, John 1900." William Ross should not be confused with Pipe Major Willie Ross, the legendary Pipe Major of the Scots Guards. In piping history, there are at least four reasonably well-known pipers who were called William Ross and two of these won the Gold Medal.

Estimate: 1,600-2,000 USD