Auction Catalogue

25 & 26 March 2014

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Download Images

Lot

№ 1143

.

26 March 2014

Hammer Price:
£1,000

Family group:

A fine Second World War Italy operations M.C. group of five awarded to Captain D. W. H. Cargill, Seaforth Highlanders, who was decorated for his gallantry in a fierce hand to hand encounter at Macchiagodena in November 1943 - he was subsequently severely wounded
Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1944’ and privately inscribed, ‘Lieut. D. W. H. Cargill, 6th Seaforth Hldrs., 1.11.43, Macchiagodena, Italy’; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star, these two privately inscribed, ‘Lieut. D. W. H. Cargill, Seaforth Hldrs.’; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, these two privately inscribed, ‘Capt. D. W. H. Cargill, Seaforth Hldrs.’, good very fine

The Great War campaign group of four awarded to his father, Lieutenant G. M. Cargill, Seaforth Highlanders, late Fife & Forfar Yeomanry
1914-15 Star (1660 Cpl. G. M. Cargill, Fife & Forfar Y.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. M. Cargill); Special Constabulary Long Service, G.VI.R., 1st issue, with Bar for ‘Long Service 1955’(George Cargill), very fine or better (9)
£1200-1500

M.C. London Gazette 23 March 1944. The original recommendation or an immediate award states:

‘On 1 November 1943, Lieutenant Cargill commanded a leading platoon in an attack against strong enemy positions near Macchiagodena. he successfully led his men onto the objective, at one time personally engaging an enemy M.G. post with one of his L.M.Gs. Having gained the objective the Platoon was forced to withdraw by heavy M.G. fire from a flank and infantry counter-attack. Lieutenant Cargill quickly re-organised his sections and engaged the enemy infantry with fire from 50 yards. He then took a T.S.M.G. from a wounded N.C.O. and led his men in a charge against the enemy, and after fierce hand-to-hand fighting again secured his objective. During this fighting Lieutenant Cargill killed a German with the last rounds of his T.S.M.G. and continued to fight with the German’s automatic weapon. The Platoon, short of ammunition, were again counter-attacked and forced to withdraw; and Lieutenant Cargill, showing high qualities of leadership and disregard of personal safety, withdrew his men in good order and re-organised in a temporary defensive position. Throughout this action Lieutenant Cargill’s coolness and gallantry were outstanding and his leadership an inspiration to his men.’

David William Hadden Cargill, the son of George Cargill and a native of Montrose, Angus, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Seaforth Highlanders in June 1943 and was serving in the 6th Battalion at the time of the above cited deeds in Italy in November of the same year. He was later severely wounded, ‘losing his left foot and receiving other injuries’ (an accompanying newspaper cutting refers). Also sold with the recipient’s original Buckingham Palace investiture letter, dated 1 December 1944.