Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private D. J. McLean, 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys), later Military Mounted Police

1914 Star (5924 Pte. D. J. McLean. 2/Dns.); British War and Victory Medals (5924 Pte. W. J. McLean. 2-D Gds.) note different first initial and unit, very fine (3) £80-£120

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Recipients of the 1914 Star.

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D. J. McLean served with the 2nd Dragoons during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 August 1914, and transferred to the Military Mounted Police on 1 October 1916.

Note: Two Medal Index Cards exist for this recipient. The first states Private D. J. McLean served in the 2nd Dragoons (Regimental Number 5924) from 23 August 1914 and transferred to the Military Mounted Police (Regimental Number 5907) on 1 October 1916. This card shows entitlement to the 1914 Star only and is entirely consistent with the 1914 Star medal roll.
The second M.I.C. states Private W. J. McLean served as a Private in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Regimental Number 5924) and transferred to the Military Foot Police (Regimental Number P-5907) with which unit he served as a Lance Corporal. This card shows entitlement to the British War and Victory Medals only and is consistent with the British War and Victory Medal Roll.
The differing first initial cannot be readily explained nor the Military Mounted Police / Military Foot Police discrepancy but the consistent service numbers across both rolls confirm these medals are all to the same man. The listing of 2nd Dragoon Guards rather than 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) on the British War and Victory Medal roll and the second Medal Index Card (and hence the recipient’s British War and Victory Medals) appears to be a clerical error; likewise, it would be most unusual for a cavalryman to have transferred to the Foot, rather that the Mounted, Police.