Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Salonika’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Private D. Carswell, Cameron Highlanders

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7723 Pte. D. Carswell. 2/Cam’n. Highrs.); 1914-15 Star (7723 Pte. D. Carswell, Cam’n. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (7723 Pte. D. Carswell, Cam’n. Highrs.); Serbia, Kingdom, Oblitch Bravery Medal, 30mm, bronze-gilt; Greece, Kingdom, War Cross 1916-17, Third Class, silver, nearly very fine and better (6) £2,000-£2,400

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2013.

D.C.M. London Gazette 11 March 1920:
‘He has on many occasions, shown great courage and devotion to duty. He has served since June, 1915, until the present time as stretcher-bearer. On one occasion, after 48 hours’ continuous dressing of wounded at the regimental aid post, after being wounded in the chest and severely shaken by a shell, he continued on duty. He has invariably set a very fine example to his comrades.’

Serbia Bravery Medal (Gold Medal for Valour) London Gazette 20 September 1919:‘Conferred in connection with operations subsequent to the 30th of June, 1918.’

Greek War Cross (listed in The 79th News).

Duncan Carswell was born in Barony, Glasgow, and attested for the Cameron Highlanders at Glasgow on 6 December 1906. Prior to the war he served in China and India with the 2nd Battalion Cameron Highlanders, before serving during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 December 1914. He was wounded in action at the battle for Sanctuary Wood, 9 May 1915 - suffering a gun shot wound to the right shoulder. Carswell entered the Salonika theatre of war on 12 December 1915 and was wounded once more in April 1917 (The 79th News refers), being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his courage and devotion to duty as a stretcher-bearer. For his services during he Great War he was Mentioned in Lieutenant-General G. F. Milne’s (C.-in-C. British Salonika Forces) Despatches of 9 March 1919 (London Gazette 5 June 1919), and was additionally awarded the Serbian Oblitch Bravery Medal and the Greek War Cross 3rd Class for his distinguished service. He was discharged to Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 15 March 1919.

Sold with cloth Red Cross armband and copied research.