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

Wauchope Medal, silver, the reverse engraved ‘Pte. W. Wilson. For Conspicuous Gallantry in the Battle Beyond Baghdad, March 14, 1917. Presented by Colonel A. G. Wauchope.’, in Elkington, London case of issue, with recipient’s Pocket Testament league New Testament Bible, good very fine £500-600

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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Collection

Approximately 70 Wauchope Medals were awarded to Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the Royal Highlanders during the Great War; 60 for gallantry at the Battles of Loos and Mushaidie (the ‘Battle Beyond Baghdad’); and 10 to men who had specifically distinguished themselves scouting in No Man’s Land.

William Wilson was born in Maxwelltown, Dumfrieshire. He served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders in the French theatre of war from 6 July 1915. He was awarded the Wauchope Medal for his gallantry at Mushaidie, 14 March 1917. On the latter date the Battalion suffered over 40% casualties, and Wilson was also wounded.

Wilson was discharged as a result of his wounds, 31 December 1918, and died as a result of influenza and bronchitis brought on a result of ‘septic poisoning from an old shrapnel wound.’ He is buried in the Drunscore Parish Churchyard, Dumfrieshire.