Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Lieutenant D. M. Harper, Border Regiment, later Royal Air Force, a Sopwith Camel and Nieuport Scout Pilot who flew on reconnaissance operations in Egypt and Sinai

1914-15 Star (2.Lieut. D. M. Harper Bord. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. D. M. Harper. R.A.F.) mounted as worn, very fine and better (3) £100-£140

David Monteith Harper was born on 28 March 1895, the eldest son of Mr. P. Rankin Harper of 39, Partickhill Road, Glasgow. Educated at the University of Glasgow, he qualified M.A., M.B., Ch.B., and was appointed to a commission as Temporary Second Lieutenant in the Infantry (General List) on 15 December 1914. Posted to France with the 9th (Service) Battalion, Border Regiment (Pioneers), from 4 September 1915, Harper spent his first six weeks at La Neuville, Herleville and Bayonvillers, before travelling with the Battalion south to Marseilles and on to Salonika.

Disembarked 7 November 1915, the pioneers were soon set to work improving the water supply, building the Salonika-Seres Road, and constructing the Decauville railway. Sent to Armutchi at the end of August 1916, the men found themselves ‘swapping spade for rifle and bayonet’ (The 9th Battalion at Salonika, refers). Transferred to the Royal Air Force in the autumn of 1917, Harper qualified Flying Officer 2 October 1917 and was posted to No. 17 Squadron. Advanced Lieutenant 19 May 1918, he survived the campaign and was later transferred to the unemployed list in January 1919.

Sold with copied service record.