Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Boer D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant J. Murdison, King’s Own Scottish Borderers

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (6294 L. Corpl: J. Murdison. 1st. K.O. Scot: Bord:); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Johannesburg (6294 Corpl: J. Murdison. K.O. Scot: Bord:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (6294 Serjt: J. Murdison. K.O. Scot: Bord:); 1914-15 Star (6294 Sjt. J. Murdison. K.O. Sco: Bord:); British War and Victory Medals (6294 Sjt. J. Murdison. K.O. Sco. Bord.); Coronation 1911, unnamed as issued; together with a King’s Own Scottish Borderers cap badge, edge bruising and heavy contact marks to the Boer War awards, these good fine; the G.V.R. awards good very fine (7) £1,400-£1,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Sid Thurgar Collection of Boer War Medals.

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Sotheby’s, March 1986.

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

John Murdison was born in Lauder, Berwick, and attested for the King’s Own Scottish Borderers at Edinburgh in November 1897. He advanced to Lance-Corporal in October 1898, and served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa from January 1900 until February 1903. Having advanced to Sergeant during the conflict, Murdison was reduced to Corporal in consequence of ‘Striking a Soldier’.

Murdison was once again promoted to Sergeant in 1906, and served in Egypt and then in the Sudan between 1907 and 1911. During the latter period he trained in Camel Corps Duties at Khartoum, and after a period of service in the East Indies he returned to the UK for service during the Great War. He served with the Regiment in the Balkan theatre of war from 25 April 1915. Appointed Acting Company Sergeant Major Instructor of Musketry, attached 2/1st Lanark Volunteer Regiment, in August 1917, he was discharged on 20 May 1919, having served 21 years and 200 days with the Colours.

Sold with copied research.