Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 M.M. awarded to Private D. Davidson, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 23 October 1918 during the Battle of the Selle

Military Medal G.V.R. (6254 Pte. D. Davidson. 1/Linc: R.) slight edge nicks, otherwise very fine £280-£320

M.M. London Gazette 26 May 1917.

Donald Davidson, a native of Kingussie, Inverness, attested for the Lincolnshire Regiment in Liverpool in 1902. The 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment were deployed to Kamptee, India from 1905-1910 and Aden from 1910-12 before returning to Portsmouth, England. Davidson served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914, and was awarded the Military Medal. His M.M. index card schedule number indicates an award for March or April 1917, including the First Battle of the Scarpe, 9-14 April 1917, in which the 1st Lincolnshire were heavily engaged, suffering 171 casualties.

Davidson was killed in action on 23 October 1918 at the Battle of the Selle. On this day the 1st Battalion were tasked with clearing the line of the River Harpies and the South Western portion of Vendegies au Bois. In pushing forward from the River Harpies towards Vendegies, considerable difficulty was experienced in clearing the enemy and they were held up by enemy shell-fire. The day cost the battalion 15 other ranks killed and 2 officers and 48 other ranks wounded. He is buried at Selridge British Cemetery, Montay, France. His medal index card contains a note stating ‘Mary Davidson applies for M.M. in respect of the late Donald Davidson (son) 15/3/20 – address East End, High Street, Newtonmore.’