Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private J. Milne, Highland Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 20 May 1916

British War and Victory Medals (26525 Pte. J. Milne. High. L.I.) in flattened named card box of issue; Memorial Plaque (James Milne) with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in original car envelope, minor edge nicks, good very fine (3) £120-£160

James Milne was born in Arbroath, Forfarshire, and attested for the Highland Light Infantry at Greenock, Renfrewshire. He served with the 12th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 1916, and was killed in action on 20 May 1916.

The Battalion War diary for the date in question states: ‘Patrol of 8 Other Ranks under Lieutenant Todd went behind the craters. They were seen and fired on by a machine gun and with bombs. Lieutenant Todd was wounded but brought in good information. Four men were missing, and 1 killed and 3 wounded. Two men turned up on the morning of 21st [May] with good information.’

Research carried out by the present vendor (included with the lot) concludes that Milne was one of the two missing men who did not turn up the following day, and was consequently assumed killed in action. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

Sold with copied research.