Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A superb Great War ‘Subalterns’ D.S.O. group of four awarded to Lieutenant G. Mutch, Gordon Highlanders, for his gallantry in leading the attack on the Butte de Warlencourt on 29 January 1917, capturing the vital position, and taking many of the enemy prisoner; subsequently transferring to the Royal Flying Corps, he was killed in action on 6 July 1917 when his aircraft was shot down over France by the German Ace Leutnant Kurt Wolff

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. G. Mutch. Gord. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. G. Mutch.); together with the recipient’s Gordon Highlanders Officers’ Glengarry Badge, silver, the Badge lacking reverse retaining pin, otherwise the group nearly extremely fine (4) £3,000-£4,000

D.S.O. London Gazette 12 March 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid on the enemy’s trenches. He rallied his men and led them forward under heavy fire. Later, with a few men he rushed an enemy post from the flank and captured the garrison. He was a magnificent example to his men, and to him was largely due the success of the raid.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 25 May 1917.

George Mutch was born in Aberdeen on 30 October 1892, and attested for the 1st Highland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps (Territorial Force) on 1 April 1912, being advanced to the rank of Sergeant. Following the outbreak of the Great War he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Gordon Highlanders on 29 April 1915, and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 2 October 1915. He served with them during the Battle of the Somme, during which he was promoted Lieutenant on 6 July 1916, before being posted to the 8th/10th Battalion on 25 August of that year.

Attack on the Butte de Warlencourt - 29 January 1917
On 29 January 1917, the 8th/10th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, were ordered to attack the Butte de Warlencourt, a large fortified chalk mound 400 yards ahead of their front line. The Butte, which had changed hands during the course of the War, had been enlarged by the Germans and, containing a number of dug-outs, bunkers, and machine-gun emplacements, commanded a good field of fire and observation due to its elevated position. The raid was scheduled for 1:45 a.m. The ground was covered with snow, so the attackers wore white smocks and white helmets as cover. Following an artillery barrage, the raid commenced with the attackers facing machine gun fire whilst attacking the German position across No-Man’s Land. Mutch led ‘B’ Company, and was successful in capturing the target and destroying a number of German gun emplacements. 17 German prisoners of war were taken, and the enemy suffered over 50 casualties, many in brutal hand-to-hand combat. British casualties were 2 officers and 4 men killed, and 2 officers and 10 men wounded. Several days after the raid smoke could still be seen rising from the Butte , as the fires still burned in the deep dugouts which had been bombed in the raid, and in which many of the enemy had been killed. For his gallantry during the raid Mutch was awarded the Distinguished Service Order- a significant honour given the fact that the D.S.O. is not normally bestowed upon Officers below Field rank. He was invested with his D.S.O. by H.M. King George V at Buckingham Palace on 14 April 1917.

Royal Flying Corps
On 8 February 1917, ten days after his D.S.O.-winning exploits, Mutch was accepted into the Royal Flying Corps, and commenced his training to become an Observer on 22 February. On 20 April he was posted to 4 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, based at Baizieux, north-east of Amiens, flying BE2e aircraft. The Squadron was re-equipped with RE8s in late May 1917, and moved to Abeele Aerodrome on 30 May. Promoted Flying Officer Observer on 9 June 1917, Mutch was killed in action on 6 July 1917, whilst on an artillery observation patrol. Attacked by 5 enemy aircraft of Jasta 11, his aircraft, piloted by Lieutenant J. Y. Taylor, was brought down in flames at 21:20. The destruction of their aircraft was claimed by Leutnant Kurt Wolff, a Pour le Merit holder and close friend and colleague of the ‘Red Baron’ Manfred von Richthofen. The destruction of Taylor’s and Mutch’s aircraft was the 32nd of a total of 33 aerial victories accredited to Wolff. Mutch was aged 24 at the time of his death and is buried in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), France.

Sold with a large quantity of copied research including a photographic image of the recipient.