Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Major John Robert Somerled Macdonald, Royal Fusiliers, killed in action at the battle of Sidi Barrani, 9 December 1940

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, all unnamed, extremely fine (lot) £100-140

John Robert Somerled Macdonald was born on 21 October 1910, elder son of Major Donald Ramsay Macdonald, D.S.O., M.C., Royal Field Artillery. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers on 29 January 1931 and was advanced to Lieutenant on 29 January 1934. As a Major in the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) he was killed in action at the battle of Sidi Barrani on 9 December 1940. Originally buried at the Tummar West Camp in Egypt, his remains were later laid to rest in the Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery.

Sold with framed commission document appointing him a 2nd Lieutenant, dated 26 January 1931; named condolence slip; Buckingham Palace condolence slip; four group photographs; school list; Christmas cards (3); and a scrap book of the period 1933-37 containing notes, leaflets, programs and cuttings relating to horse racing, polo and other activities whilst on service in India.

For his father’s medals, see lot 752; for his brother’s medals, see lot 508.