2nd Boer War Victoria Cross Recipient. A native of Scotland, he received the award from the British Duke of York George Frederick Ernest Albert on August 15, 1901 at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa for his actions as a sergeant in the 1st Battalion, The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of the British Army on December 13, 1900 at Nooitgedacht, South Africa. Born in Kelso, Scottish Borders, Scotland, his father was a pastry cook and confectioner. In March 1892 he enlisted in The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and following his training, he was sent to Malta, and then to Gibraltar three years later. In 1898 he was sent to Egypt and saw combat at the Battles of Atbara and Khartoum during the Mahdist (Sudan) War. In January 1900 he was assigned to South Africa where he participated in the 2nd Boer War. In 1905 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He later served in World War I with The King's Regiment (Liverpool) and achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. He died in Liverpool, Merseyside, England at the age of 79. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "During the attack on General Clements Camp at Nooitgedacht, on the 13th December, 1900, Lieutenant Sandilands, Cameron Highlanders, with fifteen men, went to the assistance of a picquet which was heavily engaged, most of the men having been killed or wounded. The enemy, who were hidden by trees, opened fire on the party at a range of about 20 yards, killing two and wounding five, including Lieutenant Sandilands. Sergeant Farmer at once went to the Officer, who was perfectly helpless, and carried him away under a very heavy and close fire to a place of comparative safety, after which he returned to the firing line and was eventually taken prisoner." His Victoria Cross is on display at the Regimental Museum of Queens Own Highlanders, Fort George, Inverness-shire, Scotland.