Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. Including a superb collection of medals to the King’s German Legion, Police Medals from the Collection of John Tamplin and a small collection of medals to the Irish Guards

Five: Major W. A. MacDonald, The Gordon Highlanders, late The Royal Scots Fusiliers

1914 Star (Major, Gord. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Major); Territorial Decoration, E.VII.R., silver, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London, 1909; French Medaille de la Renaissance, bronze, together with related dress miniature medals minor contact marks, generally good very fine (10) £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to The Gordon Highlanders and Associated Units from the Collection of A.J. Henderson.

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William Alexander MacDonald was educated at the Royal High School and later studied law at Edinburgh University. After qualification, he practised as a solicitor, and represented Scotland at Rugby Union Football.

Gazetted to a commission in the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers in June 1891, he was advanced to Lieutenant in September 1893, to Captain in May 1898 and to Major in November 1899, but resigned his commission in May 1901.

In July 1904, however, he was appointed to a Captaincy in the 4th (Donside Highland) Volunteer Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders, and in April 1908 he transferred to the 6th (Banff and Donside) Battalion, on the establishment of the Territorial Army, as a supernumerary Captain, being absorbed into the establishment of that Battalion a year later. Awarded the Territorial Decoration in The London Gazette of 20 June 1911, MacDonald once again obtained a Majority exactly two years later.

On the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, he was mobilised with the 6th Gordons and went across to France with them that November, but did not reach the frontline in time to qualify for a clasp to his 1914 Star. In July 1916 he was seconded for duty as a Town Major, services that resulted in him being awarded the French Medaille de la Reconnaissance (London Gazette 7 October 1919), the only such award bestowed on a Gordon Highlander in the Great War. Returning to normal regimental duties in November 1918, MacDonald resigned his commission in January 1921.