Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.S.O., M.C. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. Stirling, Scots Guards, Laird of Kippendavie

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with top bar, obverse centre slightly depressed, minor enamel damage to wreath; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914-15 Star (Capt., S. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (Lt. Col.) these two with attempted erasure of naming details; France, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, enamel damage; Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, gilt star on ribbon, generally very fine (7)
£2200-2600

D.S.O. London Gazette 4 February 1918; citation 5 July 1918. ‘Capt. and Brevet Major, Scots Guards Special Reserve’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Orders having been received that the battalion was to retake certain high ground, he, both before the attack, when he made careful reconnaissance, and after, was continuously up and down the line under heavy machine-gun fire. His initiative was to a great degree the reason for a difficult situation being cleared up successfully, while his courage and contempt of danger inspired all ranks with the greatest confidence.’

M.C. London Gazette 14 November 1916. ‘Capt., S. Gds., Spec. Res.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. When a strong counter-attack by the enemy had temporarily broken the line, he kept control by his fine personal example and determination, and restored the situation.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 14 November 1916; 4 January 1917; 18 December 1917; 28 May 1918.

Croix de Guerre London Gazette 17 December 1917.

John Alexander Stirling was born on 20 September 1881, the son of Patrick and Margaret Mary Stirling, and was educated at Eton. He succeeded his father as Laird of Kippendavie in 1899. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Scots Guards on 5 January 1901 and was promoted to a Lieutenant in May 1903. He resigned from the regiment on 4 January 1905 and was appointed a Captain in the Scottish Horse Yeomanry on 1 April 1905 and promoted to Major in May 1907. He transferred to the Scots Guards Special Reserve as a Captain on 8 May 1915. Serving with the Scots Guards he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 14 May 1915. Promoted to Major in April 1918, he was demobilised on 1 November 1919 and was granted the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel upon resigning his commission on 16 March 1920. For his notable wartime services he was four times mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.O., M.C. Legion of Honour, Croix de Guerre and granted the brevet of Major.

Post-war he was employed as a Stockbroker in London. Was keenly interested in the welfare of the Dunblane Highland Society and was chieftain at two of their gatherings. He died suddenly at his residence at 1 Queen’s Terrace, Windsor, on 28 November 1957. With a hand-written letter from Lady Margaret Stirling-Aird, dated 21 October 2005 and a quantity of copied research.