Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., 1918 M.M. and Second Award Bar group of five awarded to Sergeant T. S. Purves, 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, for his gallantry in tackling a fire after 20 direct hits had been taken on the Livens Gas Projector in his trench - the latter were used for hurling cylinders of liquid gas from hundreds of steel tubes sunk into the ground

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6581 Sjt: T. S. Purves. M.M. 1/R. Sc: Fus:); Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (6581 Pte - Cpl - T. S. Purves. 1/R. S. Fus:); 1914 Star, with loose clasp (6581 Pte T. Purvis. [Sic] 1/R. Sc: Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (6581 Sjt. T. Purvis. D.C.M: M.M. R.S. Fus.) last two renamed, generally very fine (5) £1,200-£1,600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Kenneth Petrie Collection.

View
Collection

D.C.M. London Gazette 30 October 1918:
‘For most conspicuous gallantry when the front line trench and gas projector emplacement were being very heavily shelled. About twenty direct hits were made on the emplacement, setting on fire the camouflage covering the projectors. This N.C.O., with complete disregard for his personal safety, rushed out with water to extinguish the fire, and while still under very heavy shelling succeeded in overcoming the flames. His action showed a splendid example of self-sacrifice, quick decision and courage.’

M.M. London Gazette 25 January 1918.

M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 29 August 1918.

Thomas S. Purves was a native of Edinburgh. He served during the Great War with the 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers on the Western Front.

MIC gives Purves as applying for some replacement medals in October 1927 - it does not specify which, or indeed whether it was successful, but this may well explain the renamed BWM and VM.