Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A poignant Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant N. McAdam, Royal Field Artillery, who died of wounds in April 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (630337 Sjt. N. McAdam, B. 255/High. Bde. R.F.A.); 1914-15 Star (1242 Bmbr. N. McAdam, R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (1242 Sjt. N. McAdam, R.A.), together with Bronze Memorial Plaque 1914-18 (Norman McAdam), good very fine or better (5) £1000-1200

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a withdrawal under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. He cut two dead horses from his team, and enabled his gun to get away, and successfully held a bridge until reinforcements arrived. He was severely wounded the same night while trying gallantly to salve the guns of the battery.’

Norman McAdam, a native of Aberdeen, went to France as a Bombardier in the Royal Field Artillery in early May 1915 and was serving in ‘B’ Battery, 255th Highland Brigade, R.F.A. at the time of the above cited deeds on 12 April 1918. As described by the Rev. W. Parker in his letter to the gallant gunner’s mother, he succumbed to his wounds at 7th Canadian General Hospital two days later. He was 21 years of age and the son of John and Annie McAdam of Maberly Street, Glasgow.

A letter sent to McAdam’s mother by Captain W. Parker, Chaplain, 7th Canadian General Hospital, France, dated 18 April 1918, states:

‘Early yesterday morning your son Sergeant Norman McAdam was brought to our hospital very badly wounded. I was notified of his condition at breakfast and went at once to the ward where he lay. He was quite conscious while I talked and prayed with him, and assured me of his trust in the Saviour. It was a very busy day with me, and it was eventide when next I diverted my steps to his cot, but before reaching the ward I was informed that he had deceased. The Nursing Sister in charge of his case told me that he lost consciousness shortly after my morning visit and peacefully passed away during the afternoon.

His uncomplaining, heroic, and gentle manner won for him the high esteem among all around him even during his short stay with us. The terrible gas gangrene that set in in his hip-wound, together with the severe nature of all his wounds, made it impossible, notwithstanding the unremitting attentions of doctors, nurses and orderlies, to pull him through. In fact the nurse told me that the only way she could account for his living to get here was his heroic gentle character, and that he must have lived a clean life and had good healthy blood in his veins.

His ready response to my inquiry, “Is the Lord Jesus Christ your Lord and Saviour and are you fully trusting of Him now?” was an unfaltering, quiet, clear, “Yes, sir.” I told him, after praying with him, that I would return to him as soon as a I could, and write a letter for him to his mother - “Thank you, sir, I wish you would” was his parting word as I hurried to other duties. I trust the Lord Himself will be your Comforter in this trying hour. It meant much to give such a noble good son to the cause for which we fight. Psalm 46 has much comfort for us all in these dark trying days.’

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the above cited letter from the Rev. W. Parker, together with another from Matron Willoughsby, R.R.C., also of 7th Canadian General Hospital; the recipient’s ‘In the Field’ D.C.M. card, dated 12 April 1918 and signed by the Lieutenant-General commanding XI Corps, and Record Office forwarding letter for his British War and Victory Medals, dated 6 January 1922.