Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A very fine Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. and Second Award Bar, M.M. group of six awarded to Company Sergeant-Major P. McArthur, 1st and 8th Battalions, Royal Highlanders

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (7804 Sjt: P. McArthur. 1/R. Hdrs.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (7804 Sjt: P. McArthur. 1/R. Hdrs.); 1914 Star, with clasp (7804 Pte. P. McArthur. 1/R. Highrs); British War and Victory Medals (7804 A.W.O. Cl. 1 P. McArthur. R. Highrs.); Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre,A.I.R., bronze, unnamed, mounted for display, good very fine (6) £5,000-£7,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 10 January 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He showed great courage and initiative in organising and leading bombing attacks against the enemy, who had got into the trench on the left.’
Annotated Gazette states: ‘Eaucourt l’Abbaye, 19 October 1916.’

D.C.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 16 August 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry. He rallied and reorganised the remnants of three battalions after an unsuccessful attack, displaying great initiative and total disregard for danger. He brought in about sixty of our wounded out of “No Man’s Land.”’
Annotated Gazette states: ‘North of Fampoux, 3 May 1917.’

M.M. London Gazette 14 September 1916.

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916.

Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 12 July 1918.

Peter McArthur was born at Houston, near Paisley, Renfrewshire, in 1882 and enlisted into the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) at Hamilton on 1 May 1900, aged 18, a farm servant by trade. He served in South Africa from 25 April to 22 October, 1902, and received the Queen’s medal with clasps for Orange Free State and South Africa 1902. He then moved with the regiment to India where he served until 10 January 1908, being transferred to Army Reserve on 30 April 1908. He reengaged in May 1912 and was mobilised at Perth on 5 August 1914. Posted to the 1st Battalion he served in France and Flanders from 26 August 1914 until 4 November 1914, when he was posted Home. He returned to France from 11 March to 31 October, 1915, and was at Home again until 23 June 1916, when he returned to France. He was posted to the 8th Battalion on 27 July 1916, and was severely wounded by a gunshot to his right arm on 7 October 1917. After recuperation at Home, he returned to France on 24 March 1918 and served there until 11 October 1918. He was discharged on 19 November 1919.