Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War ‘Gallipoli’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Warrant Officer Class II, W. McLaughlin, Manchester Regiment, for conspicuous gallantry on 7 August 1915 at the Battle of Krithia Vineyard. It was for his bravery here that Lieutenant W. Forshaw, also of the Manchester Regiment, received the Victoria Cross

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1590 Cpl. W. McLaughlin. 1/8 Manch:R. – T.F.); 1914-15 Star (1590 Pte. W. McLaughlin. Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1590 A.W.O. Cl. II. W. McLaughlin. Manch. R) light contact marks therefore very fine (4) £800-£1,200

D.C.M. London Gazette 2 February 1916 (citation 11 March 1916):
‘For conspicuous gallantry on the 7th August, 1915, when he led a bombing party with great bravery and skill in the Vineyard, Gallipoli.’

William McLaughlin, a native of Beswick, Lancashire, served with the 1/8th (Ardwick) Battalion, Manchester Regiment during the Great War in the Egyptian theatre of War from 25 September 1914, where his battalion, together with 1/5th, 1/6th and 1/7th Battalions, Manchester Regiment, formed part of the Manchester Brigade of the East Lancashire Division and remained at Alexandria for a time to garrison key military installations. On 6 May 1915 these four battalions landed at Gallipoli and, transferring to the 127th Brigade of the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division, were involved in the attempts to break out of the Helles bridgehead.

Corporal McLaughlin was Mentioned in General Hamilton’s Despatch of 11 December 1915 and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery on 7 August 1915 during the Battle of Krithia Vineyard (6 – 13 August 1915). Originally intended as a minor British action at Helles to divert attention from the imminent attack on Sari Bair ridge, the Battle of Krithia Vineyard became a futile and deadly series of attacks that ultimately gained a small area of ground the size of a tennis court, known as the ‘Vineyard’. It was in similar circumstances during these actions between 7 and 9 August 1915 that Lieutenant William Forshaw, 1/9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment displayed the gallantry that earned him the Victoria Cross.

McLaughlin was Mentioned in Despatches for a second time in Monro’s despatch of 10 April 1916 (London Gazette 13 July 1916): ‘for distinguished and gallant services rendered during the period of General Sir Charles Monro's Command of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force’.

Due to heavy casualties, the 42nd Division was reduced to one third of its original strength and returned to Egypt on 20 January 1916. They arrived in France on 8 March 1917 and served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war during which time McLaughlin was advanced to Warrant Officer Class II.