Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer Class 1 J. W. A. Donaldson, Canadian Field Artillery, late Vickers-Maxim Battery and Royal Horse Artillery, who was decorated for his bravery at St. Julien and Ypres in April 1915

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (C-40330 S. Mjr. J. W. A. Donaldson, 1/Bde. Canadian Art.); China 1900, no clasp (80085 Sgt. J. W. A. Donaldson, Vickers-Maxim Bty.); 1914-15 Star (40330 B.S. Mjr. J. W. A. Donaldson, 1/B.C.D.E.), ‘B.C.D.E.’ re-engraved; British War and Victory Medals (40330 W.O. Cl. 1 J. W. A. Donaldson, C.F.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (80085 B.S. Mjr. J. W. A. Donaldson, R.H.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (40330 R.S. Mjr. J. W. A. Donaldson, D.C.M., Can. F.A.), contact marks and edge bruising, fine (7) £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Canadian Expeditonary Force 1914-1918.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 5 August 1915:

‘For conspicuous gallantry on 22 April 1915 at St. Julien, and on the following days near Ypres, when being in charge of the ammunition supply of the battery, he kept up the supply under a continuous and heavy shell fire, and gave a fine example of courage and devotion to duty.’

James William Alfred Donaldson, who was born in December 1875, served for 21 years in the Royal Artillery, including active service in the Boxer Rebellion as a member of the Vickers-Maxim Battery, and was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in AO 270 of October 1909.

Having then retired to Canada, he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Ottawa in August 1914 and was embarked for France as a Battery Sergeant-Major with 2nd Battery, 1st Brigade, Canadian Artillery, in February 1915, shortly thereafter winning his D.C.M. for the above cited exploits at St. Julian and Ypres.

In March 1916, however, he was evacuated to hospital in England on account of Myalgia and a nervous breakdown, following which, on returning to duty, he remained employed in the U.K. as an instructor at Shorncliffe and elsewhere, services that witnessed his advancement to Warrant Officer 1st Class and the award of his M.S.M. (London Gazette 20 October 1919 refers).

Donaldson was discharged back in Ottawa in March 1919; sold with copied service record.