Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Captain J. W. Sloan, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, later Royal Scots, late Highland Light Infantry, who was twice wounded

1914 Star (2331 Pte. D. Sloan. 9/High: L.I.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. D. Sloan.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (David Sloan.); Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., bronze, mounted for wear together with the recipient’s brother’s Victory Medal 1914-19 (2. Lieut. J .W. Sloan.) this last officially re-impressed; good very fine (5) £140-£180

Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 4 September 1919.

David Sloan, an insurance agent in Glasgow, was educated at Glasgow University and following the outbreak of the Great War attested for the Highland Light Infantry, serving with the 9th Battalion on the Western Front from 5 November 1914. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant into the Third Battalion, Special Reserve, King’s Own Scottish Borderers on 11 November 1915, and having appeared on the wounded list of 9 September 1916 was promoted Lieutenant on 1 July 1917. He took part in the Battle of Langemarck in August 1917, and was again wounded in action 22 November 1917. Proceeding to Templemore, County Tipperary, Ireland in December 1917 and then to Claremorris in May 1918, he was appointed Acting Captain whilst commanding a Company of the 5th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers from 16 October 1918. Awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre, he resigned his Commission on 1 April 1920. His address was given as Templemore, Tipperary, but his medals were sent to Whitesands, Dumfries (also his brother’s address). Following the outbreak of the Second World War he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, National Defence Companies, General List, on 18 October 1939; the National Defence Companies of the Territorial Army were a voluntary military reserve force of the British Army, for the purpose of home defence in the event of war.

James Whittaker Sloan, brother of the above, was born in Dumfries on 1 December 1884 and was educated at Dumfries Academy and Merchiston Castle Private School in Edinburgh. He attested to the 17th (Glasgow City of Commerce) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry on 30 December 1916, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 8 April to 17 July 1917. Returning home, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, Special Reserve, King’s Own Scottish Borderers on 30 January 1918, and relinquished his commission on 21 April 1919.