A Great War M.C. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. McDonald, Royal Signals, late The Welch Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Capt. J. C. McDonald, Welsh R.); British War and Victory Medals (Major J. C. McDonald); 1939-45 Star; War Medal; Coronation 1937, mounted as worn, good very fine (7) £700-900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The collection of medals to the 41st and 69th Regiments of Foot (The Welch Regiment) formed by the late colonel Dudley Thornton, CBE.

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M.C. London Gazette 25 September 1917:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack he displayed powers of leadership of a very high order, and led his men to their objective with great skill and determination.’

John Currie McDonald was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 10 November 1892, son of John McDonald, J.P., of Melbourne. He was educated at Aldenham School and afterwards at Melbourne Grammar School, whose Great War history has the following entry:

‘He is in the Welch Regt., as he had been touring England with his mother for some years before the war broke out and had joined an Officers’ Training Corps. He is Major now, and has been “Acting Colonel” of his regiment also. He was in the Pilkem Ridge engagement and also at the taking of Mametz Wood... He has been in France for the last 3 years, continuously, and has been in much fighting, hit many times, but has had extraordinary escapes from serious wounds.’

McDonald joined the Royal Signals, as Captain, on 20 September 1923; Adjutant, October 1923 to October 1926; D.A.A.G. War Office, January 1931 to January 1935; Major, September 1934; Lieutenant-Colonel, March 1939; Acting Colonel July 1940. Sold with his ‘cancelled’ British Passport for the period 1920-30.