Medals to The Gordon Highlanders and Associated Units from the Collection of A.J. Henderson

A fine Second World War Sicily operations Stretcher Bearer’s M.M. group of five awarded to Private G. H. Martin, 1st Battalion, The London Scottish (The Gordon Highlanders)

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6985794 Pte. G. H. Martin, Gordons); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, the first in card box of issue, inside forwarding box, with related Buckingham Palace and War Office letters, extremely fine (5) £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to The Gordon Highlanders and Associated Units from the Collection of A.J. Henderson.

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M.M. London Gazette 23 December 1943. The recommendation states:

‘During the attack on 12 August 1943 on an enemy post just N.E. of St. Venerina, one man of ‘A’ Company was badly wounded. Private Martin, under heavy machine-gun fire, went out and tried to recover him, but discovered when he eventually got there that he had died. Two days later, at Macchia, the Company were under heavy mortar and shell fire. Two men were killed and eight wounded at the outset. Private Martin showed the greatest gallantry in going to and fro under heavy fire, giving first aid and with the help of other Stretcher Bearers, in getting all the wounded back under cover. He showed throughout complete disregard for his own safety, and by his great example and devotion to duty so inspired those working with him that all the casualties were brought to shelter.’

George Henry “Tony” Martin, a Peterborough man, ‘joined the Scottish in Suffolk in July 1942, immediately prior to embarkation’. Described in a wartime feature in The London Scottish Regimental Gazette as ‘only a small fellow’, he was 21 years old at the time of winning his M.M; an original cutting of this feature accompanies the Lot.