Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1916 ‘French theatre’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant E. Ford, 1st Battalion, Royal Highlanders, who was killed in action during the attack on High Wood, Somme, 3 September 1916

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (266 Sjt: E. Ford. 1/R. Hdrs) test mark to edge; British War Medal 1914-20 (266 Sjt. E. Ford. R. Highrs.); Delhi Durbar 1911, unnamed as issued, minor edge bruising, generally good very fine (3) £600-£800

D.C.M. London Gazette 21 June 1916:

‘For consistent devotion to duty throughout the campaign. On one occasion during an attack he rallied and led his platoon forward under very heavy fire.’

Edward Ford was a native of Arbroath, Forfarshire. He served during the Great War with ‘B’ Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Highlanders on the Western Front. Ford was killed in action on Western Front, 3 September 1916. On the latter date the Battalion was serving as part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division on the Somme. They were engaged in the attack on High Wood:

‘On September 3rd, The Black Watch, together with the Camerons on the right, attacked High Wood and the ground to the east of it; A, C and D companies were in the line, with B company in reserve. At 12 noon, which was fixed for Zero, a mine was successfully blown in the enemy front line, and flammenwerfers and oil-can projectors added to the efficiency of the barrage. On the right, everything went well, the right company Black Watch and the Camerons occupying the lip of the crater; but the whole advance was checked by an unfortunate occurrence on the left, where our trench mortar shells were falling very short. A company alone lost 75 percent of its strength through this cause. Had the Divisions on the flanks been advancing in line, the mishap might have been remedied; but the attack was on a narrow front and isolated. Forty prisoners, however, were taken. The Battalion’s losses were heavy; Lieutenants Marcus Gunn and Dixon died of wounds, Lieutenant Wells, Preston and Godfrey were missing; 37 other ranks had been killed, 123 wounded, and 36 were missing.’ (A History of the Black Watch in the Great War, 1914-1918, edited by Major-General A. G. Wauchope, refers)

Sergeant Ford is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.