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Auction: 8010 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 190

A Great War Group of Four to Corporal J. Beattie, Royal Highlanders, Killed in Action, 9.5.1915, On Which Date His Battalion Suffered Over 50 Percent Casualties Assaulting German Positions at Rue-de-Bois, and Acting Corporal D. Finlay was Awarded a Victoria Cross for His Gallantry That Day 1914 Star, with Bar, loose (822 Cpl. J. Beattie. 2/R. Highrs); British War and Victory Medals (822 Cpl. J. Beattie, R. Highrs.); Delhi Durbar 1911, impressed, ´822 LCpl J. Beattie R.H.), minor edge bruises to last, otherwise nearly extremely fine, with Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque, ´John Beattie´, this with enclosure slip and in card box of issue Estimate £ 240-280 822 Corporal John Beattie, born Montrose, Forfarshire; served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders on the Western Front from 12.10.1914; he was killed in action 9.5.1915, the 2nd Battalion were serving in the line at Aubers Ridge during May 1915, on the 9th of May the Dehra Dun Brigade failed in it´´s assault on the German position at Rue-De-Bois. At Midday the 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders (as part of Barielly Brigade) were ordered into the trenches to relieve the 2nd Gurkhas, with orders to assault the German trenches. The Battalion´´s War Diary gives further details of the assault, ´´the bombardment commenced at 3.20pm and finished at 4pm. The first two companies debauched from the trench and lay down in front of the parapet ready to charge at about 3.55pm. At about one minute to four, to give special interest to the charge Captain A.V. Holt debauched from the trench with certain of his company. The charge commenced but all were shot down almost immediately few getting further than 30 yards towards the enemy. In addition to the enemy fire the charge was checked by a wide, deep ditch full of water and mud which ran parrallel to our position.... The failure of the assault was directly due to the fact that the enemies front line had been insufficiently damaged by our artillery fire and that therefore at the time of the assault he was fully able to man his parapet and bring his machine guns into action.... The strength of the Battalion previous to the attack was approximately 21 officers and 850 rifles, of these rather over half debauched from the trench.´´ Acting Corporal David Finlay serving in the same battalion as Beattie was awarded a Victoria Cross for his gallant conduct during the attack. Beattie is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.

Sold for
£600