Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Sergeant J. R. Mackie, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders, who was awarded a Wauchope Medal for gallantry in the Battle Beyond Bagdad on 14 March 1917

1914-15 Star (S-8263 Pte., R. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (S-8263 Sjt., R. Highrs.); Wauchope Medal, for The Battle Beyond Bagdad, reverse inscribed ‘Sgt. J. Mackie, for conspicuous gallantry in the Battle Beyond Bagdad, March 14, 1917, Presented by Colonel A. G. Wauchope’, contained in its original ‘Elkington & Co Ltd’ red leatherette fitted case of issue, single edge bruise to last, otherwise extremely fine and a superb example of this rare medal (4) £1000-1200

James Robert Mackie was born on 4 January 1897 in Colinsburgh, Kilconquhar Parish in Fife. He attested for the 2nd Battalion Black Watch in February 1915 and was sent to France to join this battalion on 6 July 1915. By March 1917 he had attained the rank of Corporal and was serving with his battalion in Mesopotamia. He was awarded the Wauchope Medal for gallantry in the Battle of Mushaidie on 14 March 1917 and this medal was presented to him at Moascar Camp, Egypt on 21 January 1918. The Scotsman of 14 july 1917 carried an announcement to the effect that he had been wounded in action and it may well be that his wound was received at Mushaidie.

He was demobilized and transferred to the Reserve in May 1919 and in civilian life worked as plumber. He died on 13 December 1964 at Drummochy, Lower Largo, Scotland. Sold with a comprehensive file of copied research detail.