A Great War ‘Hill 60’ D.C.M. to Private R. Scott, King’s Own Scottish Borderers

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8198 Pte. R. Scott, 2/K.O.S.B.) good very fine £650-750

D.C.M. London Gazette 11 March 1916. ‘For conspicuous gallantry when occupying a captured trench. He held one end of the trench alone for a considerable time, keeping back the enemy, who were throwing grenades into the trenches from a crater close by. Of two platoons which entered this trench, only the officer and three men were left fit for action’.

‘Hill 60’ captured by the R.W.K. and K.O.S.B. on 17 April 1915, was lost following a German gas attack on 5 May. ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies 2nd Battalion K.O.S.B. were detailed to retake the position after a short bombardment, with ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies to consolidate the position. The attack by “C’ Company was crushed almost before it started by heavy gunfire; ‘D’ Company reached its objectives but were exposed to enfilade fire from the nearby ‘Caterpillar Hill’ position and were bombed from close range. Both companies were forced to retire. Two platoons under Lieutenant J. M. Challinor held on until only the officer and three others were left, and only retired when platoons to their flanks were ordered to withdraw. For their brave actions, Lieutenant Challinor was awarded the M.C., Private Scott, the D.C.M. and Private Batten, the M.M. The third member, Sergeant J. Holmes, was killed in June 1915 before the awards were made. Sold with copied extracts from the regimental history.