Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘North West Europe’ Immediate M.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant David McCrindle, 124 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (947337 Sjt. D. McCrindle. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, mounted as worn, nearly very fine (7) £600-£800

M.M. London Gazette 21 December 1944. The recommendation for the award of an Immediate Military Medal states:

‘Sgt McCrindle was NCO i/c Bty Signals of 441 Fd Bty, 124 Fd Regt RA. On the afternoon of 19 Jul 44 it was necessary to lay a new line from the Bty position to the OP in the Infantry FDLs, and as NCO i/c Signals Sgt McCrindle took charge of the line laying party. On approaching the forward position the track along which the line was being laid was heavily shelled by the enemy and shelling continued over the whole area. On reaching the cross-roads the party again came under very concentrated and accurate shellfire and it was decided that an overhead crossing was essential. On both the above occasions, Sgt McCrindle showed supreme courage and, telling his party to keep under cover, himself laid the greater part of the line including the overhead crossing) under continual shellfire. The shellfire at the cross-roads was so concentrated that the line was shot away twice and it was solely due to Sgt McCrindle’s coolness and devotion to duty during these operations and later at the cross-roads LE LION VERT where he came under enemy M/G fire, that the line was got through.

Throughout this difficult and hazardous task, Sgt McCrindle showed great coolness and determination and set a fine example not only to his own men, but to all other units in the neighbourhood. His line was through some hours before any other unit’s line in the area, and enabled support to be given to the infantry at a critical time.’

Recommendation signed by Field Marshal B. L. Montgomery, Commander-in-Chief, 21 Army Group.