Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Acting Corporal W. Elphinstone, Gordon Highlanders

1914 Star (8908 Pte., 1/Gord. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (8908 A. Cpl., Gordons) extremely fine (3) £120-160

William Elphinstone was born in Aberdeen. A Farm Servant by occupation, he attested for the Gordon Highlanders at Glasgow on 22 April 1903, aged 19 years. After service with the 1st and 2nd Battalions he was transferred to the Army Reserve in 1908. Mobilized at Aberdeen on 5 August 1914 and serving with the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 31 August 1914. He served there until 2 October 1914. Then after service at ‘Home’ he returned to France, 16 March 1915-February 1919. He transferred to the 197th Labour Company in October 1917 but returned to the 1/5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders in July 1918. Transferred to the Army Reserve in February 1919, he attested for the Labour Corps on 10 June 1919 and was discharged as being surplus to requirements in August 1920. Entitled to clasp to 1914 Star.

Sold with a quantity of copied service papers, roll extracts and m.i.c. This latter has in the ‘Remarks’ section, ‘See 5588 Pte. W. Winchester, 2/Gordons in S.A. roll’. Reference to the roll shows ‘Winchester’ being entitled to a Q.S.A. with 4 clasps and K.S.A. with two, these being forfeited due to desertion.