GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY 984
A Great War ‘Italian Front’ M.M. awarded to Private G. McClure, Northumberland Fusiliers MILITARY MEDAL, G.V.R. (15920 Pte. G. McClure, 11/North’d. Fus.) attempted erasure of naming details, edge bruise
Four: Corporal W. Flackers, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1914-15 STAR (14745 Cpl., R. Innis. Fus.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (14745 Cpl., R. Innis. Fus); DEFENCE MEDAL, unnamed, the above M.M. and group of four mounted for wear; together a Dover Seaplane Medal, silver and silver-gilt, obverse inscribed, ‘Dover Seaplanes’, hallmarks for Birmingham 1916, this last in fitted case inscribed,’Dover Seaplane Station 1917’, very fine (6)
£180-220 M.M. London Gazette 29 March 1919. Private McClure came from Belfast. 985
A rare Great War M.M. awarded to Flying Officer A. E. Pitcher, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps, who was decorated for gallantry as a Wireless Operator on attachment to No. 3 Squadron in 1916
MILITARY MEDAL, G.V.R. (8192 2 Cl. A.M. A. E. Pitcher, No. 3 Sq. R.F.C.), nearly extremely fine M.M. London Gazette 21 December 1916.
£600-800
Arthur Edwin Pitcher, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. in October 1895, enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps as a Wireless Operator in September 1915. Posted to No. 3 Squadron out in France in April 1916, he was awarded his M.M ‘for consistent good work under shell fire’ (T.N.A. records refer), and was advanced to Air Mechanic 1st Class in November 1917. Returning to the U.K. in early 1918 for training as an Equipment Officer (Wireless), he was duly commissioned in the newly established Royal Air Force, and served in that capacity until being transferred to the Reserve as a Flying Officer in September 1926.
986
A rare and impressive Second World War Italy operations M.M. and Bar group of five awarded to Gunner J. Gilzean, Royal Artillery: a long-served O.P. signaller, he won an immediate Bar to his M.M. for the action at Lake Comacchio in April 1945 - an action invariably linked to the posthumous V.Cs won by Tom Hunter of the Commandos and Anders Lassen of the S.A.S.
MILITARY MEDAL,
G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (14226045 Gnr. J. Gilzean, R.A.); 1939-45 STAR; ITALY STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS 1939-45, contact marks, generally very fine (5)
£3000-3500
178 first Bars to the M.M. were awarded in the 1939-45 War. M.M. London Gazette 28 June 1945. The original recommendation states:
‘Gunner Gilzean, on 31 August 1944, was detailed for O.P. duty with Captain Edgar in support of 46 Reconnaissance Regiment who were protecting the left flank of 46 Division. That day Mondaino was captured and Captain Edgar occupied an O.P. in the castle. He worked with remote control from his Dingo which was parked outside.
The following night the castle and surrounds came under heavy fire from 150mm. guns. The remote control was twice cut by splinters, and each time Gunner Gilzean volunteered to go out to repair it, which he succeeded in doing. When the wireless failed a third time, Gunner Gilzean again went out to repair it, this time finding that part of a tombstone had been thrown into the Dingo, breaking the steering wheel and damaging the wireless set. He removed the set, repaired and replaced it, again under shell fire.
Gunner Gilzean has acted as O.P. Signaller for over a year. He has invariably proved himself to be exceptionally calm and courageous under shell fire, and most efficient at his job.’
Bar to M.M. London Gazette 5 July 1945. The original recommendation states:
‘During No. 2 Commando Brigade’s operation of 2-4 April 1945, on the spit east of Lake Comacchio, Gunner Gilzean was Wireless Operator to one of the Forward Observation Officers with No. 2 Commando.
During particularly heavy mortar and shell fire on 2 April, Gilzean was wounded, but continued to maintain a first class communication, and as a direct result quick fire was brought down on an enemy counter attack which developed on the evening of 2 April 1945, and which was successfully broken up.
Shortly after this, while weak from loss of blood and in some pain, he was confronted by a German Officer whom he promptly took prisoner. He continued at duty until ordered to the rear on the morning of 3 April by his Troop Commander.
Gunner Gilzean’s standard of coolness, courage and efficiency was of the highest order and he was an inspiration to those around him.’
John Gilzean, who was from Stanley, Perthshire, served in the perilous role of Observation Post Signaller in 142 Royal Devonshire Yeomanry Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, throughout the Italian campaign. Equipped with 25-pounder self propelled Bishop guns, the unit, having earlier participated in the Sicily landings, lent valuable service at the Salerno landings and beyond, including the Monte Cassino operations.
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