Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Piper John Webster, 1/4th (City of Aberdeen) Battalion Gordon Highlanders, late Aberdeen City Police and Aberdeen City Police Pipe Band

Military Medal, G.V.R. (201290 Piper, 1/4 Gord. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (3899 Pte., Gordons) mounted as worn, first with scratch to obverse right field, other light contact marks, nearly very fine and better (3) £600-700

M.M. London Gazette 6 August 1918.

In The Pipes of War, by Seton & Grant, 1920, authors under the chapter dealing with 'Individual' Achievements' state that Piper William (sic) Webster of 4/Gordons was decorated with the Military Medal for:

‘In the face of heavy fire during the retirement in March, 1918, repeatedly brought up ammunition to the men in the front line. Was awarded the Military Medal’.

The authors of The Pipes of War under the respective 'Regimental Records' and nominal rolls of pipers show that there was only one Piper by the name Webster - J. Webster - in 4/Gordons, and that he was awarded the Military Medal. Indeed of the 23 Pipers listed under 4/Gordons only three were awarded the Military Medal viz 201290 Piper John Webster, together with Messers G. Paterson (also awarded a bar to the MM) and P. Bowie. 

Piper John Webster, who resided with his wife at 8 Thistle Place, Aberdeen (his parents resided at 34 Rose Street, Aberdeen), was a pre-war Constable in the City of Aberdeen Police Force. He was also a long standing 'Piper' of some distinction in the Aberdeen City Police Pipe Band. The local newspaper, The Evening Express, issue of 17 May 1918, contains a report of the award of the M.M. to Piper Webster together with details of his service in the Police Force - the same paper also includes a picture of John in full-dress Pipers uniform of the Aberdeen City Police Pipe Band, wearing a cocked eagle feathered balmoral bonnet, with baldric belt and playing the pipes. With copied service notes.