A Great War 1918 ‘Second Battle of the Marne’ M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant W. W. Nicolson, Seaforth Highlanders

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved ‘Lt. Wm. W. Nicolson. 5th. Bn. Seaforth Highrs. 15.10.18.’; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. W. Nicolson.); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1918, with bronze palm emblem on riband, good very fine (4) £700-£900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals formed by the Reverend Canon Nigel Nicholson, OStJ, DL.

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M.C. London Gazette 15 October 1918:
‘He led his company most gallantly in an attack, and after capturing his objective showed the greatest coolness under extremely heavy bombardment. Some days later, when leading the support company, he observed that the officer in command of the firing line had been killed, whereupon he immediately rushed up and took command of the firing line and led them on to the final objective. His prompt and courageous action enabled the remainder of his battalion to arrive at the final objective.

French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 7 January 1919.

William Wallace Nicolson was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Seaforth Highlanders, and served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 1 July 1916. Promoted Lieutenant, he was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry at the Second Battle of the Marne in July 1918.

The War Diary of the Fifth Seafords states:
‘On the morning of the 27th, a further advance was begun, the Brigade attack being made by the Battalion, now reduced to 8 Officers ands 250 other ranks. During this advance, all the officers of the leading Company became casualties, but, perceiving this, Lieutenant W. W. Nicolson, in command of he support company, at once went forward, took command, and led them on to their objective. By his promptness at a most critical moment he enabled the advance to continue in accordance with the timetable. For his courage, coolness, and initiative through the battle, he was decorated with the M.C. and the Croix de Guerre with Palms.’