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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 184

(x) A good 1943 ‘Sangro River’ Immediate M.C. group of seven awarded to Major G. W. Munro, Black Watch, attached 8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated '1944'; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (Capt. G. W. Munro. M.C. B.W.); Efficiency Decoration, E.II.R., silver and silver-gilt, the reverse officially dated ‘1963’, with top Territorial riband bar, mounted court-style as worn, edge bruise to GSM, generally very fine (7)

M.C. London Gazette 23 March 1944:

'In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’

The original recommendation states:

‘On the night 20/21 November 1943 at the Sangro River near Paglieta, 2/Lt Munro was in command of No 7 Platoon of ‘R’ Coy which was engaged in an operation with another Company; the task of this force being to cross the River Sangro and destroy a strongly defended enemy outpost 1000 yards to the North of the River.

2/Lt Munro commanded 7 Platoon throughout this operation and by unfailing good spirits and splendid example kept his platoon in first class fighting condition the whole time. In particular he led a patrol against the enemy post on the left which was very strongly held, and though knocked out by the blast from a grenade, brought his patrol back having pinpointed the position and killed one German with his Tommy Gun. Soon afterwards, though still suffering from shock he joined in with a patrol which captured the enemy position on the right of the company. When the company moved over the top of the escarpment, 7 Platoon occupied an isolated position out in front of the Battalion line, and later when the Battalion moved up and occupied Santa Maria, 2/Lt Munro led a successful daylight patrol through difficult country.’

T.D. London Gazette 9 July 1963.

Gordon Wallace Munro was born in April 1923 and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Black Watch on 10 April 1943, and promoted Lieutenant on 10 October of that year. He joined the 8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Italy on 21 October of that year, and was awarded an Immediate Military Cross for his gallantry at the Sangro River during the night of 20-21 November 1943. Wounded at Sangro River on 5 February 1945, upon recovering from his wounds he was posted to the 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in July 1945. He served with that unit in Palestine, and, having been demobilised, was appointed to a Territorial Army commission in the 8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Promoted Captain on 15 May 1951, and Major on 27 June 1954, he was awarded the Efficiency Decoration in 1963, before retiring the following year, having been Second in Command of the Battalion for the final few years of his service. Munro had a daughter who was blind and became involved in producing and distributing talking news programmes around Newcastle and was also a Director of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust; sold together with various copied research, including a photographic image, taken from The Thin Red Line, of the recipient accompanying Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Argyll, 13 August 1956.

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

Estimate
£1,400 to £1,800

Starting price
£1000