British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. awarded to Private J. Davidson, Royal Highlanders

Military Medal, G.V.R. (S-4109 Cpl. J. Davidson, 9/R. Hdrs.), one or two minor edge bruises and a little polished, otherwise very fine £180-220

M.M. London Gazette 18 October 1917.

Joseph Davidson, a native of Kinglassie, first entered the French theatre of war as a Private in the 9th Battalion, Royal Highlanders in mid-July 1915. As a consequence, he would have been actively employed throughout the battle of Loos, the Battalion leading its Division’s attack on the Lens Road Redoubt, as well as taking part in the capture of Hill 70 - actions that resulted in casualties of 700 killed or wounded.

Back in action on the Somme in August 1916, his unit suffered another 400 casualties in an attack on High Wood, while in the Arras offensive of 1917 it broke through the German second line at Monchy le Preux. Having then lent valuable service in the Third Battle of Ypres, the 9th Battalion suffered heavily in the German “Spring Offensive” of 1918 and had to be temporarily amalgamated with the 4/5th Battalion.

Davidson was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 22 November 1918 refers), and was finally demobilised in the rank of Corporal in August 1919.