Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. and Bar pair to Lieutenant Colonel W. R. Fleming, Royal Scots Fusiliers

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, patch of glue to reverse centre of Cross; British War Medal (Lieut.) together with an unnamed Victory Medal, good very fine (3) £300-350

M.C. London Gazette 16 September 1918 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He held with his platoon an approach to a bridge and maintained his position in face of constant enemy attack and under heavy machine-gun fire. He inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and set a fine example to his men.’

Bar to Military Cross London Gazette 16 September 1918 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while commanding a platoon during an enemy attack. When the enemy was pressing forward under cover of a barrage against the right of the battalion, he took his Lewis Gun team and a portion of his platoon forward under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire to a position where a good field of fire could be maintained. There he remained during the attack doing great damage to the enemy. He did fine service.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 9 August 1945 ‘For service in North West Europe.’

Lieutenant Colonel William Rithet Fleming was commissioned into the Royal Scots Fusiliers as a Second Lieutenant in May 1917, served at this rank for the remainder of the Great War (wounded), promoted Lieutenant November 1918, Captain November 1928, Major August1938 and Lieutenant Colonel June 1943.