Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare D.C.M. and 2 Bar group of five awarded to Sergeant William Logan, 1st and 2nd Royal Highlanders, who was also three times ‘mentioned’ and awarded the Russian Cross of St George

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R., with Second and Third Award Bars (2702 Cpl. W. Logan, 2/R. Hdrs.); 1914 Star, with clasp (2702 Pte. W. Logan, R. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (2702 Pte. W. Logan, R. Highrs.) these two unofficially named; Russian Cross of St George, 4th Class, the reverse officially numbered ‘807 686’, mounted as worn, good very fine (5) £4000-6000

Ex Major JLR Samson Collection, Glendining’s, 19 June 1991.

D.C.M. London Gazette 20 October 1916: Corporal W. Logan, R. Highlanders.

‘For conspicuous gallantry and initiative in taking charge of a party of men, and controlling their fire, after the officers of his company had all become casualties. He also assisted a wounded officer, under heavy fire, to a place of safety.’

Bar to D.C.M. London Gazette 29 August 1917: Sergeant W. Logan, R. Highlanders.

‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. A party was ordered to reconnoitre and grenade an advanced saphead. This was ably led by him, who did not allow his party to throw bombs until they had seen some of the enemy. After the bombs exploded the party withdrew, two being wounded before reaching our lines. It seems certain that the damage done to the enemy was considerable.’

2nd Bar to D.C.M. London Gazette 1 May 1918: Sergeant W. Logan, R. Highlanders (Cavenden).

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. At a critical moment he led forward a party of bombers under heavy fire, and controlled them with great skill until wounded. By his marked gallantry, courage and coolness he materially assisted in repelling a counter-attack and in re-capturing a redoubt. He has at all times proved himself an exceptionally fearless and efficient leader of men.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 19 October 1916, 15 August 1917, and 12 March 1918.

Russian Cross of St George, 4th Class, London Gazette 15 May 1917.

William Logan was born at Hellensborough, near Glasgow, on 19 January 1894. He enlisted into the Royal Highlanders as a Private in 1914, and went to France with the 1st Battalion on 14 August 1914, being invalided home, sick or wounded, after August 1915. He was then posted to the 2nd Battalion, with whom he won all his decorations and mentions. After the war he was again posted to the 1st Battalion and went out to India in September 1919. At some point subsequently, he deserted from the 1st Battalion at Allahabad and returned to the U.K., reporting himself as a deserter at Queen’s Barracks, Perth, sometime between the end of May and 14 October 1922. Tried by Court Martial for desertion, he was dismissed from the service. He died at Kircaldy, Fife, on 31 January 1951.

There were only ten recipients of the D.C.M. and 2 Bars during the Great War; indeed, the only other recipient of a two-bar award was Sergeant Thomas Healey, Cameron Highlanders, who won all three awards in the Soudan 1882-99.

The British War and Victory Medals included with this lot are both renamed. Corporal Logan was tried by Court Martial for desertion whilst serving in India in 1922 and it is therefore possible that he was required to forfeit these medals as a result, although his medal index card carries no annotation confirming this one way or another.