Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘capture of Bois de Courton’ M.C. group of five awarded to Lieutenant J. Lowrie, 7th (Fife) Battalion, Royal Highlanders

Military Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. J. Lowrie.); Defence Medal; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Jame Lowrie) Great War medals mounted as worn, generally good very fine or better (5) £800-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 42nd Highlanders and 73rd Foot (Black Watch).

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Provenance: Black Watch Collection, D.N.W., 4 July 2001.

M.C. London Gazette 7 November 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his Company Commander had become a casualty, he led his Company forward with great dash and determination under very heavy fire. He showed fine leadership and set a splendid example to his men.’

James Lowrie was born in Dunvegan, Dalkeith, Scotland, 8 August 1888. He was educated at George Watsons College, Edinburgh. A Tobacco Planter by occupation and a former member of the 8th Battalion Royal Scots (1907-11), he attested for the Inns of Court Officers Training Corps on 5 January 1917. Lowrie was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant with the 3rd Battalion Royal Highlanders on 29 August 1917, before transferring for service with the 7th (Fife) Battalion in the French theatre of war. He was awarded his M.C. for operations during the capture of Bois de Courton, Champagne, 20 July 1918. He relinquished his commission, whilst serving with the 1/7th Battalion, and retained the rank of Lieutenant, 7 December 1920.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation including: a Field Message Book; 153rd Infantry Brigade ‘Attack Notes’; six Exercise Books filled with the recipient’s training notes, one inscribed ‘2.Lt. J. Lowrie, 3rd Black Watch’; a ‘Gas Attack’ information card; Active Service Pocket Book; a pocket volume of ‘Hints to Young Officers’; a War Office Map for North West Europe, and copied research, with a photographic image of recipient in uniform.