Orders, Decorations and Medals

1914-15 Star (5197 Pte. J. McGhee, Conn. Rang.) nearly very fine £60-80

James McGhee was born in Falkirk, lived at Longriggend and enlisted at Hamilton. Serving with the 5th Battalion The Connaught Rangers, he was killed in action at the battle of Kosturino Ridge, 7 December 1915. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Francis McGhee of Longriggend, Lanarkshire and husband of Helen Torley McGhee.

The battle of Kosturino Ridge, fought on the high ridge, in snow and frost, was one of the most famous battles the Connaught Rangers fought in the Great War. Casualties to the 5th battalion in two days fighting were 4 officers killed, 4 wounded and 4 invalided, with 134 other ranks killed, 158 wounded and 144 invalided.

A Bulgarian officer, who came to London after the war, declared that when the men of his regiment were ordered to bury their dead and decorate the graves of their fallen, they declared that they would prefer first to decorate the graves of the gallant regiment (the 5th Battalion) which stood and bravely barred the way so long to victory. Ref. The Connaught Rangers, Vol. III, by Lieut-Col. Jourdain