Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private A. Gilchrist, 1/4th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, late Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who was reported as missing in action on the Western Front, 21-25 March 1918, and later recorded as killed in action, 25 March 1918

British War and Victory Medals (326040 Pte. A. Gilchrist. A.& S.H.); Memorial Plaque (Andrew Gilchrist) good very fine (3) £100-£140

Andrew Gilchrist was born in Edinburgh. Prior to the war he was employed by A. Alexander & Co., Distillers & Blenders of Scotch Whisky, Leith. Gilchrist initially served during the Great War with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on the Western Front. He transferred to the 1/4th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, and was listed as killed in action, aged 41, on the Western Front, 25 March 1918 (having been reported missing in action 21-25 March 1918).

A letter from a friend who served with him in 14 Platoon, ‘D’ Company, gives the following details:

‘It is with regret that as far as my information goes he was killed on March 22nd, for I saw and spoke to him on the morning the 22nd after we withdraw from the Front Line. I did not actually see him killed, but some of the Boys who were captured along with me, told me he was killed early in the day. We were lying near a village called Hermies not far from Cambria, Bapaume Road at the time.’

Private Gilchrist is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Sold with following original related documentation: Short Service Attestation; Notice of Transfer to the Army Reserve; National Registration Act Certificate; letter of reference from employer, A. Alexander & Co., Distillers & Blenders of Scotch Whisky, dated 25 January 1903; letter from Battalion contemporary concerning recipient’s death, dated 13 January 1919; named label from card box of issue for campaign awards.