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620
A good Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to 2nd Lieutenant W. V. Hunter, Gordon Highlanders, afterwards a
Deputy Chief Constable in Scotland
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, G.V.R. (235409 Sjt. W. V. Hunter, 8/10 Gord. Highrs.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS
(235409 Sjt. W. Hunter, Gordons); CORONATION 1937, in its card box of issue, together with a Great War period gilt-
bronze circular locket, with coloured portrait of the recipient, very fine and better (4) £600-800
D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action when commanding a
platoon holding a strong point, which he defended until almost encircled by the
enemy. After inflicting heavy losses on them, he withdrew gradually, taking up
successive positions, and thus allowing his company to be withdrawn. He
showed the utmost disregard of danger, continually exposing himself while
encouraging his men, and his superb example and fine leadership inspired all
ranks with him.’
William Vail Hunter was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Gordon
Highlanders in March 1919.
The 8/10th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders arrived on the Somme in early August 1916, and, in an attack east of Ginchy on 15
September, assisted at the capture of Martinpuich, while in January 1917, the Battalion executed a particularly successful raid on the
Butte de Warlencourt, taking a number of prisoners and destroying ammunition dumps and trench systems - the whole while attired in
white as camouflage against the snow. Having been recalled from another attack in May 1917, owing to heavy enemy artillery fire
hitting the assembly area, the Battalion lent valuable support after the Spring Offensive of 1918, not least as part of the 15th Scottish
Division’s attack on Buzancy in July, when, though forced to retire as a result of a devastating enemy counter-attack, the Germans
failed to break through on the Marne, thereby permitting the commencement of the Allied advance to victory. By this stage of the War,
the 8/10th had been absorbed into the 5th Battalion.
Sold with original commission warrant, dated 10 May 1919, and Buckingham Palace certificate for the Coronation Medal 1937, this
last in the name of ‘Deputy Chief Constable William Vail Hunter, D.C.M.’
621
A Great War D.C.M. pair awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 W. J. Moore, Highland Light Infantry
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, G.V.R. (13648 C.S. Mjr. W. J. Moore, 15/High. L.I.); BRITISH WAR MEDAL 1914-20 (13648 W.
O. Cl. 2 W. J. Moore, High. L.I.), one or two edge bruises and polished, thus nearly very fine (2) £500-600
D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading parties of volunteers to the attack on enemy posts and dug-outs, when he
showed the greatest skill and determination. On one occasion, going out with a Sergeant into an enemy dug-out, he took prisoner the
complete headquarters staff of a battalion, some 48 ranks. His magnificent example had a very material effect on the result of the
operations of his company.’
The 15th (1st Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry arrived on the Somme in July 1916, participating in an attack on Leipzig
redoubt on the 3rd, when it sustained 285 casualties. The unit remained actively employed on the same front until November, carrying
out further attacks and raids near Ovillers and Ten Tree Alley, while in 1917 it held the line at Passchendaele in the Third Battle of
Ypres. Having then captured Ayette in the German Spring Offensive of 1918 - quite possibly the occasion on which Moore won his D.
C.M. - the 15th played its part in the final Allied advance; also entitled to the Victory Medal 1914-19.
622
A Great War D.C.M. awarded to Petty Officer J. Kent, Hawke Battalion, Royal Naval Division, three times wounded in
action
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, G.V.R. (Clyde Z-3319 P.O. J. Kent, Hawke Bn. 63/R.N. Div.) edge bruise, very fine
£1200-1500
D.C.M. London Gazette 13 February 1917. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has on many occasions led successful
patrols under heavy fire. He has rendered invaluable service and has been with the Battalion since its formation’.
John Kent was born on 17 April 1888. Living in Cowdenbeath, Fife and a Miner and Stoker by occupation, he entered the R.N.V.R. in
January 1915. He was drafted from the Machine Gun Section 4th Battalion to the Hawke Battalion in March 1915, being promoted to
Leading Seaman in June and Petty Officer in September 1915. Posted to Gallipoli, he was wounded on 6 November 1915 - receiving a
gunshot wound to the left thigh, for which he was invalided to Malta. Discharged in February 1916, he rejoined his Battalion in
Salonika. He ran foul of regulations in June 1916, being ‘absent at sunset and returning at 21.00 in an intoxicated condition’ for which
he was demoted to Able Seaman. In the following month his rank was restored to Petty Officer. Later posted to the France/Flanders
theatre of war, he was wounded in November 1916 - receiving a gunshot wounds to his left arm, leg and side, for which he was
admitted to the 26th Gerneral Hospital in Etaples and thence invalided to England. In January 1917 he was awarded the D.C.M. for his
conspicuous gallantry. Transferred to the 4th Reserve Battalion in January 1917, he was rated as an Acting Chief Petty Officer R.N.D.
from June 1917, whilst acting as Company Sergeant-Major of ‘A’ Company 4th Reserve Battalion R.N.V.R. As Acting Chief Petty Officer
he was posted once more to the Hawke Battalion in September 1917 and rejoined the unit in France. Kent was then wounded for a
third time on 25 December 1917 - receiving a severe gunshot wound to the face. He was treated at the General Hospital at Le Treport
before being invalided to England and further treatment at East Leeds War Hospital, Harehills, Leeds. Making a successful recovery and
after a short furlough, he was posted to the 2nd Reserve battalion and thence back to the Hawke Battalion. In May 1918 he was tried
by District Court Martial for ‘absenting himself without leave’ for which he was fined two days pay. Back in France, Acting Chief Petty
Officer Kent was admitted to hospital in Rouen in June 1918 suffering from severe bronchitis, for which he was again invalided to
England. Recovering he again rejoined the Hawke Battalion in the field during October 1918. The redoubtable Acting Chief Petty
Officer Kent was demobilised at Kinross on 2 August 1919. With copied service papers.
www.dnw.co.uk
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