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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 684

An impressive Great War D.C.M., M.M. group of five to Private D. Petrie, Royal Highlanders who, despite being badly wounded, swam a river to pass on vital information about the enemy before being carried away

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (202339 Pte D. Petrie M.M. 4/R.Highrs:); Military Medal, G.V.R. (202339 L.Cpl D. Petrie. 4/5 R. Hdrs-T.F.); British War and Victory Medals (2333 Pte. D. Petrie. R.Highrs.), the first two toned, otherwise very fine and better (4)

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918, the original recommendation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He stayed behind to delay the enemy and gained very valuable information. He was badly wounded in doing so. Finding that his battalion had crossed a river and that the bridge was destroyed, he swam across in spite of his wound, arriving in a very exhaustive condition, but giving his information before he would allow himself to be carried away.'

M.M. London Gazette 2 April 1918.

Donald Petrie, of Spittalfield, Perthshire, served with both the 1/6th (Perthshire) Battalion and the 4/5th Battalion Royal Highlanders during the Great War. The latter saw especially heavy action at the Third Battle of Ypres (otherwise known as Passchendaele) between 31 July - 10 November 1917, being reduced through casualties to no more than company strength.

The Royal Highlanders were awarded a total of 262 Distinguished Conduct Medals for the Great War and of those recipients a total of 29 additionally received the Military Medal.

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Sold for
£2,700

Starting price
£1100