Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to 2nd Lieutenant W. V. Hunter, Gordon Highlanders, afterwards a Deputy Chief Constable in Scotland

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (235409 Sjt. W. V. Hunter, 8/10 Gord. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (235409 Sjt. W. Hunter, Gordons); Coronation 1937, in its card box of issue, together with a Great War period gilt-bronze circular locket, with coloured portrait of the recipient, very fine and better (4) £600-800

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action when commanding a platoon holding a strong point, which he defended until almost encircled by the enemy. After inflicting heavy losses on them, he withdrew gradually, taking up successive positions, and thus allowing his company to be withdrawn. He showed the utmost disregard of danger, continually exposing himself while encouraging his men, and his superb example and fine leadership inspired all ranks with him.’

William Vail Hunter was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Gordon Highlanders in March 1919.

The 8/10th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders arrived on the Somme in early August 1916, and, in an attack east of Ginchy on 15 September, assisted at the capture of Martinpuich, while in January 1917, the Battalion executed a particularly successful raid on the Butte de Warlencourt, taking a number of prisoners and destroying ammunition dumps and trench systems - the whole while attired in white as camouflage against the snow. Having been recalled from another attack in May 1917, owing to heavy enemy artillery fire hitting the assembly area, the Battalion lent valuable support after the Spring Offensive of 1918, not least as part of the 15th Scottish Division’s attack on Buzancy in July, when, though forced to retire as a result of a devastating enemy counter-attack, the Germans failed to break through on the Marne, thereby permitting the commencement of the Allied advance to victory. By this stage of the War, the 8/10th had been absorbed into the 5th Battalion.

Sold with original commission warrant, dated 10 May 1919, and Buckingham Palace certificate for the Coronation Medal 1937, this last in the name of ‘Deputy Chief Constable William Vail Hunter, D.C.M.’