Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An outstanding Salonika M.C. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. Round, 7th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, for gallantry in the attack on Grand Couronne, 18 September 1918, when his commanding officer won the Victoria Cross and the Battalion was awarded the French Croix de Guerre

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved ‘Lieut. A. J. Round. 7th South Wales Borderers Salonika Sept. 18th 1918’; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lieut. A. J. Round.); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Efficiency Decoration, Territorial, G.V.R.; French Croix de Guerre, with bronze palm, the first two silver plated, the Victory Medal and Croix de Guerre lightly gilded, very fine or better (7) £2000-2400

M.C. London Gazette 1 February 1919:

‘T./Lt. Alec John Round, att. S. Wales Bord. 7th Bn.).
In the attack on Grand Couronne on the 18th September, 1918, Lt. Round was commanding a company. Though wounded early in the day he continued to lead his men to the assault of the final position, when he was again hit and carried out of action. The fine example set by his bold and fearless leading helped to inspire all ranks under his command. As Brigade Bombing Officer for about ten months, Lt. Round has shown great zeal and initiative, and his efforts have contributed largely to the fighting efficiency of the battalion.’

Lieutenant Alec John Round first entered the war with the British Salonika Force on 24 July 1917.

The Grand Couronne

From 15 September 1918, the Allied barrage had come down on the whole of the Macedonian front line. The barrage lifted early on the morning of the 18th September followed by an infantry attack against the Grand Couronne. The day was very hot and the position to be captured was 2,000 ft high and strongly defended by concrete and barbed wire a hundreds yard thick.

The 7th Bn, South Wales Borderers, a left flanking battalion led by Colonel Daniel Burges, managed to reach their first position with very few casualties and then moved forward through the scrub, capturing two hills and stopping just short of the slopes of Grand Couronne. However, their two right-hand flanking battalions, the 11th Welsh and 11th Royal Welch Fusiliers, together with the 3rd Greek Regiment had not been allowed to enjoy the same success and the 11th Welsh suffered enormous casualties. The Borderers had no choice but to retire after reaching within 250 yards of the summit. By now an earlier haze had lifted and they were cut to pieces by machine gun fire from three sides and suffered heavy casualties.

General Franchet d'Esperey, as the Allied forces' commander-in-chief, was so impressed with the efforts and gallantry of the 7th Bn, South Wales Borderers that he awarded the battalion the French Croix de Guerre. The citation stated:

‘A Battalion animated by a remarkable spirit and a lofty sense of duty. On 18th September 1918 under the energetic leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Burges, it attacked the enemy's positions, climbing a steep slope under a hail of shells and the fire of trench mortars and machine guns. In spite of heavy losses it pressed on with no thought but to reach the enemy and thereby gave proof of its tenacity and offensive spirit, and formed an example of self sacrifice worthy of the highest praise.’

The signal honour of the award of the Croix de Guerre to the 7th Battalion is unique for this theatre of war, and just four were given to British units on the whole Western Front.

Colonel Daniel Burges received a well-merited V.C., announced in the London Gazette of 14 December 1918:

‘For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and devotion to duty in the operations at Jumeaux ( Balkans ) on the 18th September 1918. His valuable reconnaissance of the enemy first line trenches enabled him to bring his battalion without casualties to the assembly point, and from thence he maintained direction with great skill, though every known landmark was completely obscured by smoke and dust. When still some distance from his objective the battalion came under severe machine-gun fire which caused many casualties among company leaders. Lt.-Col. Burges, though himself wounded, quite regardless of his own safety, kept moving to and fro through his command, encouraging his men and assisting them to maintain formation and direction. Finally, as they neared the enemy’s position, he led them forward through a decimating fire until he was hit again twice and fell unconscious. His coolness and personal courage were most marked throughout and afforded a magnificent example to all ranks.’