Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The extremely rare ‘Mesopotamia 1916-17’ D.C.M. and Two Bars group of five awarded to Sergeant William Logan, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), who was also three times ‘mentioned’ and awarded the Russian Cross of St George

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R., with Second and Third Award Bars (2702 Cpl. W. Logan, 2/R. Hdrs.); 1914 Star, with clasp (2702 Pte. W. Logan, R. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (2702 Pte. W. Logan, R. Highrs.) the B.W.M. officially re-impressed; Russia, Empire, Cross of St George, 4th Class, the reverse officially numbered ‘807 686’, mounted as worn, good very fine (5) £20,000-£30,000

Provenance: Major J. L. R. Samson Collection, Glendining’s, June 1991 (purchased from A. D. Hamilton & Co., December 1985); Dix Noonan Webb, March 2007.

D.C.M. London Gazette 20 October 1916: Corporal W. Logan, R. Highlanders.
‘For conspicuous gallantry and initiative in taking charge of a party of men, and controlling their fire, after the officers of his company had all become casualties. He also assisted a wounded officer, under heavy fire, to a place of safety.’
Annotated Gazette states: ‘Sannaiyat 22 April 1916’.

D.C.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 29 August 1917: Sergeant W. Logan, R. Highlanders.
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. A party was ordered to reconnoitre and grenade an advanced saphead. This was ably led by him, who did not allow his party to throw bombs until they had seen some of the enemy. After the bombs exploded the party withdrew, two being wounded before reaching our lines. It seems certain that the damage done to the enemy was considerable.’
Annotated Gazette states: ‘Mesopotamia’.

D.C.M. Third Award Bar London Gazette 1 May 1918: Sergeant W. Logan, R. Highlanders (Cavenden).
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. At a critical moment he led forward a party of bombers under heavy fire, and controlled them with great skill until wounded. By his marked gallantry, courage and coolness he materially assisted in repelling a counter-attack and in re-capturing a redoubt. He has at all times proved himself an exceptionally fearless and efficient leader of men.’
Annotated Gazette states: ‘21 April 1917.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 19 October 1916, 15 August 1917, and 12 March 1918.

Russian Cross of St George, 4th Class, London Gazette 15 May 1917.

William Logan was born at Hellensborough, near Glasgow, on 19 January 1894. He enlisted into the Royal Highlanders as a Private in 1914, and went to France with the 1st Battalion on 14 August 1914, being invalided home, sick or wounded, after August 1915. He was then posted to the 2nd Battalion, with whom he won all his decorations and mentions.

The first award of the D.C.M. was for his services during the attack at Sannaiyat on 22 April 1916, as part of the attempt to relieve the besieged garrison at Kut-al-Amara. He was also mentioned in Lieutenant-General Sir Percy Lake’s despatch of 24 August 1916, for his services during the attempt to relieve the garrison at Kut-al-Amara during the period 19 January to 30 April 1916.

The Bar to the D.C.M. was awarded to Logan for his part in a bombing raid on an advanced enemy saphead, in trenches near Sannaiyat on 6 September 1916. He was mentioned in despatches for a second time. by Lieutenant-General Sir Stanley Maude in his despatch dated 10 April 1917, covering the period of operations from 28 August 1916 to 31 March 1917. The award of the Russian Cross of St George was noted in the Battalion war diary in February 1917.

A second Bar to the D.C.M. was awarded to Logan for his actions at the battle of Istabulat, 21 April 1917, on which occasion he was wounded. He was also mentioned in despatches for a third time, by Lieutenant-General Sir Stanley Maude in his despatch dated 15 October 1917, covering the period 1 April to 30 September 1917

After the war he was again posted to the 1st Battalion and went out to India in September 1919. At some point subsequently, he deserted from the 1st Battalion at Allahabad and returned to the U.K., reporting himself as a deserter at Queen’s Barracks, Perth, sometime between the end of May and 14 October 1922. Tried by Court Martial for desertion, he was dismissed from the service. He died at Kircaldy, Fife, on 31 January 1951.

There were only ten recipients of the D.C.M. and 2 Bars during the Great War; indeed, the only other recipient of a two-bar award was Sergeant Thomas Healey, Cameron Highlanders, who won all three awards in the Soudan 1882-99.

The British War and Victory Medals included with this lot have previously been described as having been renamed. However, upon close forensic inspection, it is clear that the Victory Medal is perfectly named and that the British War Medal, unquestionably named in pair with the Victory Medal, is in fact officially re-impressed.

Sold with comprehensive research including all relevant copies of gazettes and Medal Index Card.