Orders, Decorations and Medals

Pair: Captain A. Campbell-Irons, Highland Light Infantry, killed in action, during the attempted relief of Kut, 8 March 1916

1914-15 Star (Lieut., High. L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Capt.) extremely fine (2) £80-100

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Brigadier Brian Parritt, C.B.E..

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Arthur Campbell-Irons was born in Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire, on 11 October 1890, the son of James P. and Kate Irons. After being educated at Blundell’s School and St. Dunstan’s College he became a banker, and at the time of his enlistment, lived at 3 Lombard Street, London. On 15 February 1909 he joined the 14th (County of London) Regiment (London Scottish) as 1046 Private A. C. Irons. He served in this T.A. regiment until 12 September 1914 but became a 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) in the 3rd Battalion (Reserve) Highland Light Infantry on 14 August 1914. On 1 April 1915 he went to France and joined the 2nd Battalion H.L.I. who, as part of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Division, were heavily involved in the action at Givenchy and Festubert. On 3 May 1915 Lieutenant-Campbell-Irons fell ill with Measles and on 13 May was evacuated to England. On his recovery he was posted to the 1st Battalion H.L I. and went with them to Mesopotamia, leaving Marseilles on 12 December 1915 and arriving at Basra on 23 January 1916. The 1st Battalion H.L.I. formed part of the 9th Brigade 3rd (Lahore) Division that was detailed the task of relieving the besieged garrison at Kut. On 8 March 1916, order to break through, the British launched a major attack, firstly on the Dujaila Redoubt and then on the Sinn Abtar Redoubt. The advance on the former was halted; that on the latter which involved the 3rd Division, succeeded in entering the redoubt but were promptly forced out when the Turks counter-attacked. Of the 37,000 men involved, some 4,000 were killed, wounded and missing. Amongst the dead was Captain Arthur Campbell-Irons. He was buried in an unmarked grave at Es Sinn and, as his body was never recovered, his name was recorded on the Basra Memorial. Sold with copied service papers and other research.