Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 30
A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Major D. L. McSweeny, 15th London Regiment and Machine Gun Corps, who was three times Mentioned in Despatches
Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse privately engraved ‘Major D. L. McSweeny’; 1914-15 Star (430 Sjt. D. L. Mc.Sweeny. 15- Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major D. L. McSweeny.) nearly extremely fine (4) £1,000-£1,400
Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2003.
M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He commanded a machine-gun company in the front line through ten days’ fighting, always keeping a good grasp of the situation. He made good dispositions, and handled his gun most ably when changes of position were necessary. He assisted in the repulse of repeated enemy attacks, inflicting losses both by direct and indirect fire.’
Denis Leon McSweeny was born in Standish, near Wigan, Lancashire on 26 January 1883 and was educated at St. Joseph’s College, Dumfries and St. Andrew’s University. A Civil Servant in the India Office, he attested for the 15th (Prince of Wales’ Own Civil Service Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment in 1908, having previously served with the 12th Middlesex Civil Service Rifles, and by the time of the outbreak of the Great War had been promoted Sergeant. He served during the Great War on the Western Front from 17 March 1915, and on 25 March of that year was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 15th London Regiment. In November of that year he was seconded to the 140th Machine Gun Corps. In November 1916 he was advanced Captain and placed in command of the 212nd Machine Gun Company, and in April 1918, on being promoted Major, he was appointed second in command of the 29th Battalion Machine Gun Corps. For his services during the Great War he was awarded the Military Cross and was three times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 7 October 1918, 10 July 1919, and 12 January 1920). He was disembodied on May 1919.
Sold with the recipient’s original commission document for the rank of Second Lieutenant, dated 24 March 1915; War Office letter regarding his demobilisation; Officers’ Protection Certificate and a handwritten listing (by the recipient?) of his wartime appointments; also with a quantity of copied service details including copied Medal Index Card.
31
A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Second Lieutenant R. M. McCowan, 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots, late Lance-Sergeant, 9th (Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, who was twice wounded during the Great War, and succumbed to his last wounds just 10 days before the Armistice
Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (1615 Cpl. R.M. McCowan. High. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. M. McCowan.) mounted for display, last two renamed, good very fine (4)
£600-£800
M.C. London Gazette 15 October 1918: ‘When the company of which this officer was in command was checked during an attack by machine-gun and rifle fire from an enemy strong point, he went forward under heavy fire, with complete disregard of danger, and reconnoitred the position. He then made excellent tactical dispositions and attacked with complete success. He displayed conspicuous gallantry and fine leadership, being always ahead of his men, and was the first man into the strong point, he himself throwing bombs and causing heavy casualties to the enemy.’
Robert McCraig McCowan was born in Barony, Glasgow, in February 1896. He enlisted in the 9th (Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry in December 1912, and was embodied for service in August 1914. McCowan, having advanced to Corporal, served during the Great War with the Battalion in the French theatre of war from 26 June 1915.
McCowan was wounded during the Battalion’s attack on High Wood, Somme, 15 July 1916, and was subsequently attached as Lance- Sergeant to the 4th Battalion, Royal Scots in April 1917. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion, Royal Scots, and attached to the 2nd Battalion in December 1917. He was wounded again, 19 October 1918, whilst the Battalion was engaged in crossing the river Lys:
‘Moved into assembly positions for crossing river Lys: 12 OR gassed and 6 OR wounded on way up. Lys should have been cross at 11pm but owing to bridges not being in position, did not get over river until 1.30am 20th, crossing made by raft, footbridge and pontoon, under very heavy barrage. Objective reached about 3am. 2Lt. McCowan M.C. wounded.’ (Battalion War Diary refers)
Second Lieutenant McCowan died of his wounds, 1 November 1918, and is buried in Terlinchthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France.
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