Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An Immediate Great War D.S.O. awarded to Major D. O. Riddel, M.B., Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 11th West Yorkshire Regiment

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., in case of issue, obverse centre a little depressed and slack; 1914-15 Star (Lieut., R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major); Montenegro, Military Bravery Medal, silver, unnamed, in case of issue, nearly extremely fine, the last very scarce (5) £1800-2200

Ex D.N.W. 2 April 2003.

D.S.O. London Gazette 25 November 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He tended and dressed the wounded under intense fire, displaying the greatest courage and determination. Later, during a very heavy bombardment, he walked up and down our trenches and administered to the wounded.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 4 January 1917.

Montenegro, Military Bravery Medal London Gazette 9 March 1917.

Donald Olson Riddel was born at Oyne, Aberdeenshire, on 5 October 1887. He graduated from Edinburgh University. Riddel attested for the R.A.M.C. at Liverpool on 3 September 1914 and was discharged to a commission in December the same year. Lieutenant Riddel entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 22 August 1915.

Major Riddel won his D.S.O. as a Temporary Captain when Medical Officer to the 11th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, in an action on 7 October 1916. The battalion attacked enemy trenches to the left of Le Sars, gained and held their objective but with heavy losses of 8 officers and 217 other ranks.

Post war he served as a Medical Practitioner and died in Aberdeen on 7 May 1963.

With copied m.i.c., service papers, gazette extracts and other research.