Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Private W. McKean, Seaforth Highlanders, late Scottish Rifles, who was wounded on the Western Front on 26 September 1914

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, the Transvaal clasp a tailor’s copy unofficially attached with pin retaining rods (2584 Corpl. W. McKean, Scot. Rifles); 1914 Star, with slide clasp (7612 Pte. W. McKean, 2/Sea. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (7612 Pte. W. McKean, Seaforth); War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, the first with contact marks and polished, therefore fine, the remainder nearly very fine (5) £280-320

William McKean was born in Barony, Glasgow, and enlisted in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Scottish Rifles, in September 1899, aged 17 years. He subsequently saw active service in South Africa 1901-02 and, in the latter year, transferred to the Regular Army with an appointment in the Seaforth Highlanders.

Similarly employed by the outbreak of hostilities, he arrived in France with the 2nd Battalion on 22 August 1914, and was wounded in the leg on 26 September, on which date the Battalion was positioned near La Montagne Farm, north of Bucy-le-Long. He was not evacuated home, however, and remained actively employed on the Western Front until August 1916, so was presumably present in the Battalion’s attack on Redan Ridge on the First Day of the Somme, when one of his comrades, Drummer W. Ritchie, won the V.C.

McKean remained employed on the home establishment from September 1916 and was placed on the Army Reserve in May 1918, having latterly served in the Royal Scots Fusiliers.

Sold together with copied attestation and service papers, together with medal roll extracts - the former confirming his wound in September 1914.