Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Chaplain to the Forces the Reverend J. A. Somerville, Army Chaplains’ Department

1914-15 Star (Rev. J. A. Somerville A.C.D.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Rev. J. A. Somerville), traces of verdigris to reverse of Star, otherwise good very fine (3) £180-220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to Chaplains formed by Philip Mussell.

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M.I.D. London Gazette 10 July 1919.

James Alexander Somerville was born in Germany to and English father and a German mother and was educated at Dollar Academy, Scotland, before being appointed a Church of Scotland Chaplain to the Forces 4th Class in September 1915. He served during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 26 September 1915, and was appointed Senior Chaplain, 74th Division, serving in Gallipoli, Egypt, Palestine, and France.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War he was, owing to his German ancestry, interned on the Isle of Man, despite having three sons who were officers in the Royal Air Force. He died on 31 July 1948.