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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 181

(x) The 1917 M.C. awarded to 2nd Lieutenant A. G. Drummond, 2nd Battalion, Black Watch, a Special Reserve Officer who held his post against repeated attacks despite being gassed, only withdrawing when the troops to his flank were driven back

Drummond was later tragically to die whilst a prisoner of the Germans in the latter days of the War

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (23011 Pte. A. G. Drummond. High: L.I.); British War Medal 1914-20, erased; Victory Medal 1914-19 (2. Lieut. A. G. Drummond), minor pitting, very fine (4)

M.C. London Gazette 26 September 1917, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He held a position for six and a half hours, although four times heavily counter-attacked, and, in spite of being gassed, succeeded in beating off these attacks with very heavy loss to the enemy, until finally compelled to withdraw, owing to the retirement of the troops on his flank and the overwhelming superiority of the enemy. His tenacity and fearless courage deserve the highest praise.'

Alexander Gilmour Drummond was born at 10 Walmer Crescent, Ibrox, Glasgow in 1894, the fifth son of Mark and Elizabeth Drummond of 40 Nithsdale Drive, Gorbals. Joining the 17th (Glasgow Chamber of Commerce) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry he entered the war in France with them on 22 November 1915. This formation saw heavy fighting on the Somme, attacking the Liepzig Salient on the First Day of the Battle, Drummond was wounded during the fighting in July.

Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 28 February 1917 with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) he was attached to the 6th (Perthshire) Battalion. This formation saw particularly heavy action in 1917 seeing the battles of Arras, Passchendaele and Cambrai. It is likely during the early stages of the Battle of Passchendaele that Drummond won his M.C. given the date of the Gazette.

Drummond was still serving with them early the next year on the onset of the German Spring Offensive. They faced overwhelming numbers in the Battles of St. Quentin and Bapaume but survived intact and were in action again the next month during the Battle of Lys. Here Drummond was seriously wounded in action and taken prisoner of war, he died of his wounds whilst a prisoner on 5 April 1918 and is buried at Cologne Southern Cemetery; sold together with copied research.

For further information see the Glasgow City Council Roll of Honour website:

https://citizen.glascc1-prd.gosshosted.com/article/6957/Drummond-Alexander-Gilmour-1895-1918


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£320