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Auction: 1006 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 25

A Particularly Fine Second War ´El Alamein´ D.C.M. Group of Eight to Company Sergeant Major G. Gauld, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Who Also Fought and Was Wounded in the V.C. Action at Wadi Akrit, 6.4.1943 a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (2976509 A/W.O. Cl.II. G. Gauld. A.& S.H.) b) 1939-1945 Star c) Africa Star d) Italy Star e) France and Germany Star f) Defence and War Medals g) Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., with ´Territorial´ scroll suspension (2976509 W.O. Cl 2. G. Gauld. D.C.M. A & S H.), light pitting to D.C.M. otherwise nearly extremely fine, mounted as originally worn, with the following related items: - Warrant appointing George Gauld D.C.M., as a Warrant Officer, dated 6.5.1946 - British Army of the Rhine Commendation Certificate, named to the recipient - Congratulatory Letter to the recipient from his Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Lorne Campbell, dated 9.4.1943 (on 6.4.1943 Campbell was recommended for the V.C. for his gallantry at the Battle of Wadi Akarit) - A number of contemporary photographs, some official H.Q. British Army of the Rhine, of the recipient in uniform; a P.O.W. Postcard sent from ´L.Cpl. James D. Gauld, No. E8/101 Stalag VIII B. Work Party E119. Germany´ to ´Mrs. George Gauld, 11 Grove Street, Denny, Stirlingshire, Scotland´ - Presentation of New Colours to 7th and 8th Battalions, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders booklet - Two contemporary Christmas cards from the Regiment - Brown leather sporran bearing the crest of the Regiment (8) Estimate £ 4,000-4,500 D.C.M. London Gazette 4.5.1943 No. 2976509 Sergeant (acting Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant-Major)) George Gauld, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise´s) (Denny, Stirlingshire) The Recommendation states: ´North Africa: During the night on 26th October 1942 (on Nairn) just as his Company was preparing to charge on the final enemy position a shell burst in Company Headquarters, wounded the only Officer left with the Company and knocked over Sergeant Gauld who was acting as CSM. Although stunned and wounded in the mouth, Sergeant Gauld jumped up, rallied the men, who had gone to ground, and led them into the position, capturing a strongly held Machine Gun post. He then reorganised the Company and prepared to meet any counter-attack. When a local counter-attack came, he drove it off, personally leading a Section out beyond the enemy trenches. He held the position won until the arrival of another Company under an Officer, who then took command. Before the arrival of this Officer Sergeant Gauld directed the action, moving between Section positions with complete disregard for his own safety under heavy machine gun fire. For the rest of the night and the whole of the following day, he continued to move between the Sections of his Company organising fire plans, distribution of water etc., all under frequent heavy mortar and machine gun fire. By his prompt action in taking over command at a critical moment and his determined and fearless leadership afterwards, Sergeant Gauld not only secured the capture and retention of the objective, but gave an example which encouraged all who worked under him.´ 2976509 Company Sergeant Major George Gauld, D.C.M., served with the 7th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders during the Second World War, and as part of the 154th Infantry Brigade, 51st (Highland) Infantry Division was present at El Alamein (23rd October - 5th November 1942) under the command of Montgomery; with Rommel´s return to North Africa on the night of the 25th October the Axis forces were ordered to counter attack; from the 25th-27th (see D.C.M. citation), the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division were engaged in very heavy fighting around the Kidney feature, including the repulse of an attack on the position by the Littorio Armoured Division; having recovered from his wounds from this action, Gauld went on to fight with the battalion at the battle of Wadi Akrit, 6.4.1943; the 7th Battalion under the leadership of Lieutenant-Colonel Lorne Campbell particularly distinguished itself during this action, with Campbell being awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry; Campbell´s letter to the Gauld (written three days after the action) states: Dear Gauld, Warmest congratulations on your most deserved D.C.M. Rather a delayed action from Alamein, but we are all delighted it has come through at last and everyone feels it has gone to the right man. Archibald [C.S.M. John Murray Archibald] has one too, for the Mareh show, so we feel very proud of our two C.S.M.s I am sorry you got hit in this last show. It was quite the toughest battle we have had and I think our best achievement. Words fail me as usual when I try to express my admiration and pride for our battalion. They are magnificent - A Coy put up a wonderful show, but I am afraid you are down to just under forty strong, and for the present I have had to amalgamate A & B. I hope you will soon be all right again and I shall be glad to have you back.´ The 51st (Highland) Infantry Division went on take part in the invasions of Sicily, Italy and North-West Europe. Gauld was commended for his conduct during the occupation of Germany.

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