Orders, Decorations and Medals

The ‘Battle Beyond Bagdad’ Wauchope Gallantry Medal awarded to Private William Wilson, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders

Wauchope Medal, for The Battle Beyond Bagdad, reverse inscribed ‘Pte. W. Wilson, 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, the lid detached from the hinge of the case, medal good very fine £500-600

William Wilson was born on 31 August 1886 at Maxwelltown, near Dumfries. He enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, Black Watch some time in 1915 and was posted to France on 6 July of the same year. He subsequently served in Mesopotamia with his battalion and was awarded a Wauchope Medal for gallantry at the Battle of Mushaidie on 14 March 1917. Wilson was wounded in this action, this being the second time that his name had appeared on the wounded list during the course of the war.

His wounds must have been fairly serious as he was discharged from the army on 31 December 1918 and was awarded a Silver War Badge. He died on 6 February 1921 as a result of influenza and bronchitis, brought on as a result of ‘septic poisoning from old shrapnel wounds.’ Heis buried in Drunscore Parish Churchyard, Dumfriesshire, his grave being marked with a C.W.G.C. headstone.