Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private T. Macdonald, 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, for gallant conduct and determination in escaping from captivity, having been taken prisoner on 27 August 1914 and regained his freedom in August 1916

Military Medal, G.V.R. (9714 Pte. T. Macdonald. 1/Gord: Highrs.); 1914 Star, with clasp (9714 Pte. T. Macdonald. 1/Gord: Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (9714 Pte. T. Macdonald. Gordons.) nearly very fine (4) £800-£1,000

M.M. London Gazette 30 January 1920: ‘In recognition of gallant conduct and determination displayed in escaping or attempting to escape from captivity, which services have been brought to notice in accordance with the terms of Army Order 193 of 1919.’

The following details have been extracted from the lengthy official debriefing examination of Private Thomas Macdonald by H. Hughes-Onslow, Master of the Supreme Court, dated 30th August 1916:

‘Macdonald, Thomas, Private, No. 9714. 1st Battn., Gordon Highlanders.

Home address: 3, Scott Street, Dundee.

Place and date of capture: Bertry, 27th August 1914.

Places of detention:-
Bertry and other places in Belgium.- One night each.
Sennelager, Old English Camp.- 5th September to end of December 1914.
Senne II.- End of December 1914 to 28th May 1915.
Diestedde, Westphalia.- 28th May to 16th November 1915.
Sennelager, Senne II,- 16th November to 22nd December 1915.
Soltau, Hannover.- 24th December 1915 to 7th January 1916.
Bechsten Listrup, near Salzbergen, Hannover.- 7th January 1916 to 13th August 1916.

I was born on 12th March 1880. I enlisted in 1905 in 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, and served seven years in Indai, partly in 1st and partly in 2nd battalion. I was transferred to the reserve in 1912, and after that I worked as a postman, first in Dundee, and after that at Auchterarder, Perthshire.

We were fighting a rearguard action, and in consequence of some misunderstanding about retiring, we were surrounded on the night of 26th-27th August 1914. We surrendered at 2 a.m. on 27th - 496 unwounded prisoners altogether.’

The lengthy examination of Private Macdonald continues for several pages and is largely a commentary on the statement made previously by his comrade Private Brash, with whom he made his successful escape (WO 161/98 refers).