Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Second Battle of Ypres’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Private A. Gray, Seaforth Highlanders, later Machine Gun Corps, who was gassed in September 1915

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8773 Pte. A. Gray. 2/Sea: Hdrs.); 1914 Star, with clasp (8773 Pte. A. Gray 2/Sea: Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (8773 Pte. A. Gray. Seaforth.); Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., bronze, with bronze palm emblem on riband, very fine (5) £800-£1,200

D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916; citation published 11 March 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry. When the remainder of the team had been put out of action by the enemy’s fire he kept his gun going, and by his bravery and resource did much to save the situation at a critical time.’

Arthur Gray attested for the Seaforth Highlanders and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 August 1914. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry near St. Julien on 26 April 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres, on what was the Battalion's first major action of the Great War, certainly in terms of casualties suffered:
‘Called on to attempt the impossible, without adequate artillery preparation and support, on ground unknown and unreconnoitred, they were sent to turn an enemy well provided with machine-guns out of a position which had ready-made cover in houses and a wood, and splendid artillery observation from higher ground behind it.’ (Military Operations in France and Belgium 1915 by Brigadier-General J. E. Edmonds and Captain G. C. Gwynne refers). Total casualties suffered by the 2nd Battalion during the battle were 348 officers and men killed or wounded.

Gray was wounded by gas poisoning on 18 September 1915, and subsequently transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 8 December 1915.

Sold with a postcard photograph of the recipient and copied research, including the relevant Battalion War Diaries.

Note: The recipient’s Belgian Croix de Guerre is unconfirmed.