Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Great War 1917 ‘Mesopotamia theatre’ D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Company Quarter Master Sergeant J. Hamilton, King’s Own Royal Regiment and Indian Unattached List

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (27 Sjt: J. Hamilton. I. U. List.); 1914 Star, with later slide clasp (L. Cpl. H. [sic] Hamilton, I.U.L.); British War and Victory Medals (9185 C-Q. M- Sgt. J. Hamilton. I. A. Sig. Cps.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (9185 C. Sjt. J. Hamilton. R. Lanc. R.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24 (3701418 C. Sjt. J. Hamilton. King’s Own. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (Coy-S-Maj. J. Hamilton. I.S.C.) mounted for display, light contact marks overall, very fine (7) £1,200-£1,600

D.C.M. London Gazette 29 August 1917:

‘For conspicuous good work, and especially during the recent operations. He has commanded his cable detachment in a most capable manner, and never failed to get his link though under any circumstances. His work has frequently been done under fire, and he has shown a fine example to his men.’

James Hamilton enlisted in the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment in 1906, advanced to Lance-Corporal and was classified as a 1st Class Signaller in April 1901. Hamilton was serving with the 2nd Battalion at Lebong, India, with the outbreak of the Great War. He was attached as a Signaller to the 31st Indian Division in October 1914, and listed on the Indian Unattached List served in the French theatre of war from 10 November 1914. Hamilton advanced to Corporal, and went with the 31st Indian Division to serve in the Mesopotamian theatre of war. He advanced to Company Quarter Master Sergeant and went on to serve on attachment in Iraq and Waziristan. Hamilton was awarded the L.S. & G.C. in 1925.

A scarce combination - the D.C.M. 1 of 12 awarded to the Indian Unattached List, the G.S.M. ‘Iraq’ believed to be 1 of 5 known awarded to the Regiment, and the I.G.S. ‘Waziristan 1921-24’ scarce to the Regiment.