Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A very scarce Great War M.C., M.M. group of five awarded to Second Lieutenant John Hogg, 1st Cameron Highlanders

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; Military Medal, G.V.R. (7821 Sjt: J. Hogg. 1/Cam: Hdrs.); 1914-15 Star (7821, Sjt. J. Hogg, Cam’n Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. J. Hogg) good very fine (5) £2,200-£2,600

M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1919 (citation published 4 October 1919):
‘For great gallantry and determined leadership. On 18th October, 1918, near La Vallee Mulatre, his platoon was in the first attacking wave. It suffered many casualties, but he led it forward, and secured his first objective. At this point he reorganised his own platoon and others in the vicinity who were without leaders, and, by his fine example and leadership, gained his second objective. His conduct throughout was most inspiring to his men.’

M.M. London Gazette 14 September 1916.

John Hogg was born at Winchburgh, West Lothian, in 1887 and enlisted into the 2nd Cameron Highlanders in February 1907. He served in France and Flanders with the 2nd Battalion from 19 December 1914. He is shown in the battalion honours and awards book as having been recommended for the D.C.M. ‘when on the march from Hooge to Verlorenhoek on the 3rd of May 1915, under heavy shell fire, he brought in under cover Lieut. Hussey-Macpherson, 2nd Cameron Highlanders, also Sergt. Cunningham, 2nd Cameron Highlanders, who were both severely wounded.’

As it transpired, Hogg’s recommendation for a D.C.M. was not successful, although a sequel to this event was reported in the West Lothian Courier on 1 October 1915:

‘Sergt. John Hogg, 2nd Cameron Highlanders, whose parents live at Niddry, Winchburgh, has just received the gift of a gold wristlet watch from one of his officers in recognition of an act of bravery “somewhere in France.” The officer, Mr L. F. Hussey Macpherson had been reported wounded on the 5th of May (sic) last, and Sergt. Hogg carried him from the firing line to a place of safety and also bandaged his wounds. Writing from Grosvenor Gardens, London S.W., under the date 16th September the officer says - “Dear Sergt. Hogg, I am sending a small watch with very many thanks for getting me under cover and bandaging me up the night I was hit. It was really awfully kind of you, and I am very sorry I have never written to you before, but I nevar heard myself what had happened for a good long time, till Mr Gemmell told me, and then I was unable to find out where you were to thank you, I believe you are at Invergordon, and were hit yourself sometime afterwards. I hope you were not seriously damaged, and are quite strong now... With very many thanks for all you did for me on the 5th of May, yours truly L. F. Hussey Macpherson.”

‘The gold watch, which is of neat design, and has illuminated figures and hands bears the following inscription - ‘J. Hogg May 5th 1915 Verloren Hoek from L.F.H.M.’ Sergt. Hogg was himself wounded on May 7th at Hooge, being hit in the shoulder by shrapnel, and was at home at the beginning of August. He is now at Invergordon acting as a physical drill instructor.’

Sergeant Hogg returned to the Western Front in December 1915 and was posted to the 1st Cameron Highlanders. His award of the M.M. appeared in the London Gazette of 14 September 1916, an issue largely devoted to non-immediate and retrospective awards. Almost certainly, therefore, this M.M. was given in recognition of his bravery in rescuing and tending to Lieutenant Hussey Macpherson and Sergeant Cunningham on 3 May 1915.

Sergeant Hogg was wounded for a second time during the battle of the Somme on 22 September 1916, receiving a gun shot wound to the left foot. Following an operation in France he returned to England on 29 September. He returned to France in March 1917 and remained until July 1917, when he returned to the U.K. to train for a commission. Appointed 2nd Lieutenant 26 September 1917, Hogg joined the 1st Cameron Highlanders on the Western Front. He was attached for a while to the Machine Gun Corps but returned to the 1st Cameron Highlanders and won the Military Cross at the battle of Epehy on 18 October 1918.

Several images of Lieutenant Hogg are available online at Scottish Highlander Photo Archive, and a detailed biography of him is held in the archives of the Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George.