The Massie Collection of Medals to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

An exceptional ‘Achi Baba’ Gallipoli D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant A. McLachlan, 5th (Renfrewshire) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (33 Sjt., 1/5 A. & S. Hdrs.-T.F.) ‘achlan’ engraved after original naming error; 1914-15 Star (33 Sjt., A. & S.Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (33 W.O. Cl.2, A. & S.H.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, E.VII.R. (1156 Sjt., 5/A. & S. Hdrs.) mounted as worn, good very fine (5) £350-450

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Massie Collection of Medals to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 15 September 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry on 12th July, 1915, on the Galliploi Peninsula. During the advance he assisted to clear the hostile trench, killing four of the enemy himself, and afterwards rendered valuable aid in consolidating and holding it. He then advanced with his party to an isolated trench and held it until relieved. He had been 30 hours in action and set a fine example to his men.’

McLachlan’s D.C.M. was gazetted as ‘McLaughlin’ which probably explains the subsequent correction to the naming on his medal.

An attack on Achi Baba was ordered on 12th-13th July in order to support a fresh landing at Suvla Bay. The 5th Argylls formed part of the 157th Brigade, together with the 6th and 7th Highland Light Infantry. The Official History of the campaign states: ‘Sgt. A. MacLachlan, 5th Argylls, cleared one piece of trench by himself, meeting four Turks and killing them one after the other with the bayonet. The leading waves of the 7th H.L.I. and 5th Argylls, now joined into one surge of men, rushed forward for the third Turkish trench, but found nothing but a few detached pieces of empty trench less than two feet in depth. Some went on to look further, and most of these never returned. Others got into the shallow holes and tried to deepen them and build up parapets. Sgt A. MacLachlan, mentioned above, held an isolated piece of trench in front with his section until relieved thirty hours afterwards, beating off at least one heavy Turkish counter-attack during the time.’