A Collection of Medals to the 42nd Highlanders and 73rd Foot (Black Watch)

A Great War 1917 ‘French theatre’ M.C. group of eight awarded to Major F. G. Shand, 4/5th Battalion, Royal Highlanders, wounded in action on the Somme, 13 March 1918, and who served later with the Royal Artillery during the Second War

Military Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. F. G. Shand.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, reverse dated ‘1950’, with additional G.VI.R. bar, reverse dated ‘1951’, and integral top riband bar, generally very fine or better (8) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 42nd Highlanders and 73rd Foot (Black Watch).

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M.C. London Gazette 26 November 1917 (details appearing in London Gazette 6 April 1918):

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Finding himself early in the attack the only officer left in his company, with only a very few men, he showed the greatest gallantry and coolness throughout. He kept the situation well in hand in spite of the heaviest machine-gun and shell fire. His coolness and courage were the means of maintaining the position of the right flank of the battalion.’

Efficiency Decoration London Gazette 20 June 1950.

Efficiency Decoration Second Award Bar London Gazette 13 April 1951.

Francis Graham Shand was commissioned Second Lieutenant, 7th (Fife) Battalion, Royal Highlanders, 18 November 1914. He advanced to Lieutenant in June 1916, and transferred to the 4/5th Battalion in August 1917. He served during the Great War with the Battalion in the French theatre from 18 August 1917, and they were heavily engaged in the Third Battle of Ypres from this date until the end of the year.

Shand was wounded in action, 13 March 1918, when the Battalion was in the trenches at Gouzeaucourt, Somme. He re-engaged for service with the Royal Artillery (T.F.) in November 1938, and served as Captain (Honorary Major) with the 57th Battery (later A.A. Searchlight Regiment) in North West Europe.