Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. and M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant C. Shand, Gordon Highlanders

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (10743 Cpl. -A. Sjt:- C. Shand. M.M. 1/6 Gord: Highrs:); Military Medal, G.V.R. (10743 Cpl. C. Shand. 1/6 Gord: Hdrs. -T.F.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (2865118 Pte. C. Shand. D.C.M. M.M. Gordons.) contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £800-1200

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a counter-attack by his company. When the platoon commanders became casualties he assumed command, and displayed great ability and courage in the way in which he conducted the subsequent part of the operations. During consolidation, after his counter-attack had been successfully accomplished, he got back all the wounded under very heavy fire. He set a very fine example to the men around him.’

M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1918.

Charles Shand attested for the Gordon Highlanders at Aberdeen, and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 7 October 1914 (entitled to 1914 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal). Transferring to the 1/6th Battalion, he was awarded both the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the latter almost certainly for gallantry during the German attack on the bridge-heads at Vieille Chapelle on 10 April 1918:
‘During the 10th April the enemy’s fire increased in intensity, and he succeeded in effecting a passage over the Lawe Canal, about a mile south of Vieille Chapelle. Early in the afternoon orders were received to send a company to deliver a counter-attack and capture two farms near the west bank of the canal. “D” Company was sent forward, and at 4:30 three platoons attacked the positions as ordered. The first house was captured; another was taken some 50 yards further south. As two platoons were preparing to assault a third farm, they encountered heavy machine-gun fire from the flanks, while a party of some 60 of the enemy, coming from behind the farm, advanced to attack them. This and a second enemy attack they defeated with heavy losses, but having suffered very severely, they were withdrawn at dusk. Their prompt and vigourous action succeeded in arresting for a time the enemy’s forward movement, and prevented him from throwing more men across the canal. Their losses bear testimony to the fierceness of the struggle and to the resolution with which they carried it out, for only 15 out of 97 who took part in the counter-attack returned unwounded.’ (The 6th Gordons in France and Flanders refers).

Shand stayed on in the Regiment, and was still serving in May 1930.