Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War Battle of Loos D.C.M. group of three awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 H. D. Strachan, Royal Highlanders, who was killed in action at Arras in April 1917 - he was also a recipient of the Wauchope Medal

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9478 Sjt. H. Strachan, 2/R. Hdrs.); British War and Victory Medals (9478 W.O. Cl. 2 H. D. Strachan, R. Highrs.), together with related Memorial Plaque (Hugh Strachan), good very fine or better (4)
£1000-1200

D.C.M. London Gazette 30 March 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry in leading his platoon after the leader was killed. He charged several times ahead of his bombers and bayoneted several of the enemy.’

Hugh Drummond Strachan - also the recipient of a 1914 Star - was killed in action on 9 April 1917, while serving in the 9th Battalion, Black Watch. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. The following obituary notice appeared in The Dumfermline Press on 12 May 1917:

‘Intimation has been received that Company Sergeant-Major Hugh D. Strachan, D.C.M., Black Watch, was killed in action on 9 April. He had been in the Army for fourteen years. He left India with the Black Watch at the start of the war, and was in many engagements. For bravery in the German trenches on 25 September 1915, he was awarded by Lieutenant-Colonel A. G. Wauchope a medal bearing the inscription: “For conspicuous gallantry in the capture of German trenches, 25 September 1915.” After the Battalion was withdrawn from the trenches he was sent home on sick leave at the end of 1915, and was presented with the Distinguished Conduct Medal in Dumfermline by Lord French in August last. A brother, Private Freddie Strachan, Scots Guards, was killed in July 1915. The late Company Sergeant-Major, who was 29 years of age, was a native of Scone. He resided in Dumfermline for a number of years, and before enlisting in the Army he was employed with Messrs. Fraser & Carmichael, merchants. He was married in September last, his young widow residing with her parents (Mr. and Mrs. Walter Lamond) at 21 Grieve Street, Dumfermline.’