Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Boer War D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant J. Murdison, King’s Own Scottish Borderers

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (6294 L. Corpl: J. Murdison. 1st K.O. Scot: Bord:); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Johannesburg (6294 Corpl: J. Murdison. K.O. Scot:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (6294 Serjt: J. Murdison. K.O. Scot: Bord:); 1914-15 Star (6294 Sjt. J. Murdison. K.O. Sco: Bord:); British War and Victory Medals (6294 Sjt. J. Murdison. K.O. Sco. Bord.); Coronation 1911, contact marks, generally nearly very fine (7)
£1400-1800

Provenance: Sotheby’s, March 1986.

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

John Murdison was born in Lauder, Berwick, and attested for the King’s Own Scottish Borderers at Edinburgh, in November 1897. He advanced to Lance-Corporal in October 1898, and served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa, January 1900 - February 1903. Having advanced to Sergeant during the conflict, Murdison was reduced to Corporal in consequence of ‘Striking a Soldier’.

Murdison was once again promoted to Sergeant in 1906, and served in Egypt and then the Sudan, 1907-1911. During the latter period he trained in Camel Corps Duties at Khartoum, and after a period of service in the East Indies he returned to the UK for service during the Great War. He served with the Regiment in the Balkan theatre of war from 25 April 1915. Appointed Acting Company Sergeant Major Instructor of Musketry, attached 2/1st Lanark Volunteer Regiment, in August 1917, he was discharged on 20 May 1919, having served 21 years and 200 days with the Colours.