Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private D. Martin, Royal Highlanders, killed in action in the First Battle of the Aisne, 14 September 1914

1914 Star (9571 Pte D. Martin. R. Highrs); British War and Victory Medals (9571 Pte D. Martin. R. Highrs.); Memorial Plaque (David Martin) very fine or better (4) £240-280

David Martin was born in St Andrews, Fife, in 1885, and attested for the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) at Perth. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914 and was reported missing, killed in action in the First Battle of the Aisne on 14 September 1914. He has no known grave and is commemorated on La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, France. He is also commemorated on the Parish of Scoonie War Memorial, Leven, and the Leven (Scoonie) Parish Church War Memorial.

1st Battalion Royal Highlanders formed part of 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1st Division, and disembarked Le Havre on 14 August 1914. On 14 September 1914, the battalion was in support of the 2nd Brigade, and took up position in the caves on the Paissy Ridge. Leading battalions of the 1st Brigade advancing up the Vendresse Ridge took heavy fire, so the 1st Battalion Royal Highlanders split up to support the advance. ‘A’ and ‘C’ companies held the ground east of the sugar factories on the Chemin des Dames and ‘D’ company moving up the Chivy Valley were overwhelmed by much larger enemy forces. Counter-attacks were repulsed, but retirement was inevitable, and the battalion fell back after dark and began to entrench. Casualties amounted to 4 Officers killed, 7 wounded and 40 men killed, 112 wounded and 35 missing.