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5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders

Military Cross

(Citations arranged alphabetically)

London Gazette 10th January 1917 
2nd Lt. William Bruce Anderson, Gordon Highrs.
For conspicuous gallantry in action.  He assumes command of and led his company with great courage and determination, capturing 170 prisoners.
[This action was at Beaumont Hamel, 13th November 1916 when large numbers of prisoners were taken. Lieutenant Anderson was killed in action on 17th April 1917.]

London Gazette 9th January 1918 
2nd Lt. David James Gilmour, Gord. Highrs
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when commanding his company during an attack.  When all the officers of the company on his right had become casualties, he immediately took command of the whole wave, organised the whole line in face of stout resistance, and succeeded in capturing both companies' objective.  The success of the operation was entirely due to his initiative and resource.

London Gazette 20th October 1916 
2nd Lt. Allan Cruickshank Hendry, Gord. Highrs.
For conspicuous gallantry when in command of a raiding party.  When the party was held up in the enemy wire it was due to his fine leadership and determination that an entrance was effected.  He turned into a great success what would otherwise have been a failure.

London Gazette 16th August 1917 
Lt. Albert Hutcheon, Gord. Highrs.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his company with great determination. It was largely due to his courage and example that the objective was gained and held for two days.
[War Diaries show that this action took place at Vimy 9-10th April 1917.  Lt. Hutcheon was leading "A" Company. He was blinded during actions on 16th May 1917]

London Gazette 26th July 1918
T/2nd Lt Magnus Hincks Irvine, Gord Highrs.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer showed marked ability and coolness while leading his company in counter-attacks under heavy machine-gun fire. He set a fine example to his men.

London Gazette 26th July 1917 
Lt. (actg. Capt.) Alexander Kelly, Gord. Highrs.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  He led his company with great dash and daring, rallying them on several occasions under heavy barrage.  Though wounded, he refused to leave the company and led it forward to counter-attack.  His services were of great value, and his fearlessness was beyong praise.
[War Diaries show Capt. Kelly was wounded on 16th May 1917. He was later taken prisoner on 21st March 1918.]

London Gazette 15th October 1918
2nd Lt. Frederick William Lovie, Gord. Highrs.
For conspicuous gallantry and initiative. At a critical moment in our advance, he lead his platoon forward and captured and enemy machine gun with its whole detachment. It was largely due to his prompt action that the attack was successful.  He assisted in the consolidation of the objective under heavy artillery and machine gun fire with skill and energy until he was severely wounded.  He set a fine example for his men.
[The War Diaries show that this action was at Buzancy, 28th July 1918]

London Gazette 15th October 1918
Lt James Torn Reid, Gord. Highrs
For conspicuous gallantry while acting as intelligence officer during attacks. He remained at a forward observation post exposed to very heavy shelling, and sent back valuable information.  When the situation became critical he went forward to the front line to find out the situation, and did most excellent work in superintending the organisation of the line.  Four days later, when the ballalion went forward to the attack, he personally directed the left flank to ensure that proper direction was kept.  This he did most successfully, fearlessly ecposing himself to machine-gun and rifle fire all the time.  Throughout the operations he behaved most gallantly, and rendered very valuable service.

London Gazette 16th July 1918
Lt (A/Capt) Charles Robertson, Gord. Highrs
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his company in an attack with great ability and when the Tanks were held up he continued to lead his men forward and by his excellent leadership saved what might have been a serious situation. He several times went forward ahead of his company under intense fire, and set an inspiring example to his men. 

London Gazette 18th July 1918
T/2nd Lt. Alexander Will Smith, Gord. Highrs.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  He led his men forward in the attack under the most difficult conditions and captured his objective.  When clearing the trench he met with strong opposition, and, crossing the open under intense fire, he led a Tank forward to the assistance of his platoon.  By his prompt and courageous action the trench was cleared and the advantage was continued.
[This action took place on 18/2/1918]

London Gazette 18th July 1918
2nd Lt. Thomas Ligertwood Warrack, Gord. Highrs.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon with great skill and determination in an attack on a strongly held enemy position. He captured the position, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, and took prisoner an enemy battalion commander and his whole staff.

London Gazette 26th September 1917
T./2nd Lt. Robert Welsh, Gord. Highrs.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon against an enemy strong point with utmost coolness and determination under machine-gun and rifle fire, and captured the position after fierce hand-to-hand fighting.  Later, he took his platoon through a heavy barrage and established an outpost line, which he held under very trying circumstances until relieved thirty-six hours later.

London Gazette 10th January 1917
2nd Lt. Maxwell Campbell Wright, Gord. Highrs.
For conspicuous gallantry in action.  He assumed command of and led his company in the attack with great courage and determination.  He set a splendid example throughout.

Bar to M.C
London Gazette 16th August 1917
2nd Lt. Maxwell Campbell Wright, M.C., Gord. Highrs.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  He commanded a company in the assault with great courage and determination.  When the line was held up and began to waver, he rallied the men and personally led them forward, carrying the whole line with them.  The success was mainly due to his splendid example and fearlessness.

London Gazette 15th October 1918
Lt. Robert Wilson Youngson, Gord. Highrs.
During many days of heavy enemy fire with high explosive and gas shells on our communications, he carried out his duties as transport officer with a courage and devotion to duty which were a splendid example to all ranks.  His care and forethought undoubtedly saved many casualties to his transport.

The Battalion War Diary of September 1917 noted the following:
Bar to Military Cross
2/Lt W. Davidson
For gallantry during operations near Langemarck on 31st July 1917
[London Gazette 27th October 1917. William Davidson was in the 6th Battalion but the Bar was earned whilst he was attached to the 5th Battalion.]

The following citation is for an officer who later commanded the 5th Battalion, but earned the Military Cross while serving in another Battalion. 

London Gazette 2nd November 1915
Temporary Second Lieutenant John Bruce Wood, 10th Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders
For conspicuous gallantry on 25th September, 1915 at Loos and 'Hill 70'. He took 275 prisoners in Loos, marched them under heavy fire with a small escort, and returned with ammunition for the men in the firing line, personally assisting in its distribution. Being by this time the only Officer left in his company, he rallied it when the order was given to consolidate on the reverse slope of 'Hill 70', and held his new position, until relieved, with great bravery and resource.

Citations for the following men have not been located:

Capt P.C. Bird     London Gazette 1st January 1918
2/Lt A. Cruden  London Gazette 30th January 1920   (*see below) 
T.M. Dacre    
Lieut G. Henderson     London Gazette  30th January 1920
Lieut D. Hutton    
2/Lt P. Jamieson    London Gazette 2nd December 1918
Capt W. Lyall     London Gazette  1st January 1917
Quartermaster and Hon. Capt J. Marr  3rd June 1918  
Warrant Officer W. Park     London Gazette  16th September 1918
Capt P. Walton     London Gazette  1st January 1918

*2/Lt Albert Cruden.  Although there does not appear to be a citation for the Military Cross for this officer, which was awarded post-war, the following extract appears in the unpublished memoirs of Captain James Mort:

"21st March [1918] Heavy early bombardment of all trenches ...we awaited the end... No sleep for 36 hours. Cruden, a brave officer going out on patrol in the mist - to determine the situation had a bullet in the abdomen.  He had done excellent work and after the war I recommended him for the MC which he duly received."

Both Cruden and Mort became prisoners of war.

Click here for details of awards issued for actions in April and May 1917



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Carolyn Morrisey