Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private B. N. Fairgrieve, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who was decorated for his gallantry during an enemy bombardment at Hulloch in January 1916

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (18338 Pte. B. N. Fairgrieve, 7/K.O.S.B.); 1914-15 Star (18388 Pte. B. N. Fairgrieve, K.O. Sco. Bord.); British War and Victory Medals (18338 Pte. B. N. Fairgrieve, K.O. Sco. Bord.), contact marks and polished, thus generally good fine (4) £800-1000

D.C.M. London Gazette 15 March 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry. During a bombardment by the enemy with bombs and rifle grenades, he picked up a grenade which had fallen in the middle of six men and threw it over the parapet where it exploded. His promptness certainly saved casualties.’

Benjamin Nelson Fairgrieve first went out to France as a Private in the 7th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers in December 1915 and, one month later won his D.C.M. for the above cited deeds at Hulloch. In August 1916, his unit was amalgamated with the 8th Battalion and ordered to the Somme, where it suffered 224 casualties during a German counter attack on the 17th. And by the end of the following month, after participating in the capture of Martinpuich, casualties had risen to 34 officers and 886 other ranks. Fairgrieve, who later served in the 1st Battalion, was discharged on account of being found medically unfit for further duty in December 1918; sold with research.