Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War M.M. and Bar group of five awarded to Private James Christie, Gordon Highlanders

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (9986 Pte., 2/Gord. Hdrs.); 1914 Star, with clasp (9986 Pte., 2/Gord. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals, small M.I.D. oakleaf (9986 Pte., Gordons); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (2865088 Pte. (M.M.) Gordons), mounted as worn, very fine and better (5) £1200-1400

M.M. London Gazette 14 December 1916.
Bar to M.M. London Gazette 18 July 1917.
M.I.D. London Gazette 17 February 1915.

Private James Christie, 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 7 October 1914, being employed as batman to Captain James Burnett. The battalion was soon in action. On 29 October, during the 1st Battle of Ypres, Captain Burnett was severely wounded whilst leading his company in a counter-attack near Ghevulet. His batman, Private Christie carried him to safety. An account of the action was given by a fellow ‘Gordon’:

‘After the successful counter-attack the battalion retired to their own lines, by which time night had fallen. At this point James Christie realized Captain Burnett was missing. Private Christie made his way back across the battlefield to the point he last saw his company commander, James Christie had covered almost three-quarters of a mile and was within a stone-throw of the German trenches when he found the wounded officer. Capt. Burnett spotted a figure on the skyline and hoping it was a friend he sounded a distinctive call on his whistle. Private Christie had promptly responded when they came under fire from the German trenches. Heaving the wounded officer on to his back, Private Christie returned to the British trenches, still under fire’.

For his actions, Christie was subsequently mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Medal. He remained with Captain Burnett for the remainder of the war, later winning a bar to his Military Medal. After the war he continued as Burnett’s chauffeur until the 1930’s. He later lived on the Crathes Castle Estate and died on 14 December 1852.

Captain Burnett was later Major-General Sir James Burnett, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., 25th Laird of Leys and 13th Baronet.

Sold with a quantity of copied research on both Christie and Burnett. Also two copied photographs of the recipient.