Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Battle of Passchendaele’ M.M. awarded to Private A. Stillie, Canadian Infantry

Military Medal, G.V.R. (441713 Pte. A. Stillie. 42/Can: Inf:) good very fine £400-500

M.M. London Gazette 23 February 1918.

The Recommendation, dated 6 November 1917, states: ‘On Passchendaele Ridge, during the operation on the night of 2/3 November 1917, this soldier formed one of the party which captured and held Graf House for more than an hour, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy when they counter attacked in large numbers several times. He set a fine example of coolness, tenacity, and devotion to duty.’

The 42nd Battalion’s War Diary for the night in question adds further details: ‘During the night of 2/3rd November, a party consisting of Lieutenant Cohen and 28 other ranks were detailed to capture Graf House. They advanced in three parties, although the left party consisting of a Sergeant and 5 men became scattered and rendered very little assistance. The two remaining parties reached Graf House and on their approach its garrison, which consisted of 5 or 6 men, fled Our party occupied the ruin where they were subjected to considerable machine gun and rifle fire. After about 20 minutes a party of about 15 Germans advanced to the attack but were driven off by rifle and Lewis Gun fire. Later a much larger body advanced but were also halted by fire from our Lewis Gun which expended in all 15 panniers.
The Germans, however, under cover of darkness were able to creep up to within effective bombing distance and our party suffered a number of casualties from cylindrical stick and egg bombs as well as rifle and machine gun fire. When the ruin had been in our possession about an hour Lieutenant Cohen was killed by a bullet through the abdomen. The garrison was now reduced to 5, consisting of Lance Corporal J. Taylor and four others. Their Lewis Gun ammunition had all been expended except half a pannier as well as all their rifle grenades and bombs, and Lance Corporal Taylor, who was himself wounded, decided to withdraw.
No message asking for reinforcements was received from Lieutenant Cohen, and as only a few of the casualties of his party reported back through their Company headquarters it was not evident to us that he was being so hard pressed. Our right Company Commander had, however, sent forward a Lewis Gun and crew with instructions to report to him, but most unfortunately it lost its way.
Next morning the Germans were busy evacuating their wounded from the vicinity of Graf House, giving proof of the effectiveness of the stand made there by our garrison. The outstanding figures in this desperate resistance were undoubtedly Lieutenant Cohen and Lance Corporal Taylor, No. 1 of the Lewis Gun.’

Andrew Stillie was born at Alva, Scotland, on 4 April 1890, and attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Winnipeg, Manitoba, on 9 October 1915. He initially served with the 53rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, before transferring to the 42nd Battalion, with whom he served at Passchendaele.