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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 432

(x) The campaign group of four awarded to Private G. Hunter, 1st Gordon Highlanders later Middlesex Regiment, who was taken Prisoner-of-War following his battalion's famous stand before Audencourt during the Battle of Le Cateau

1914 Star (9564 Pte. G. Hunter 1/Gord. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (9564 Pte. G Hunter. Gordons.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., (6192295 Pte. G. Hunter. Midd'x. R.), contact marks, good very fine (4)

Gordon Hunter was born on 1 June 1886 and served with the Regular Army prior to the outbreak of the Great War. He entered the war in France on 13 August 1914 with the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, seeing action with them in the first days of the Great War. The Battalion was engaged at Mons although they saw only light casualties and withdrew with II Corps in good order. Soon they found themselves engaged as part of the 8th Brigade in the Battle of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914.

The Battalion was stationed before the village of Audencourt, coming under regular heavy attack throughout the day. When General Smith-Dorrien had delivered the check to the German advance he believed necessary he ordered the withdrawal of his Corps. Unfortunately this order failed to reach the Gordon's in their advanced position. As the rest of the British force withdrew the Battalion, and small elements of the Royal Scots and Royal Irish where increasingly encircled.

Despite heavy fire and repeated attacks the Battalion did not give way until it became clear that they were on their own at which point they attempted a fighting withdrawal. However they were too heavily engaged to succeed and where brought to ground near Clery where the bulk of the formation where killed or captured. At that point many companies broke into small groups and attempted to slip through German lines with some getting to Antwerp and from there Britian.

Hunter however was not so fortunate, he is listed as being taken Prisoner of War the next day on 27 August, suggesting that he was taken while attempting to escape the encirclement. Little information is known about his captivity however he certainly survived and remained in the army, later being posted to the Middlesex Regiment with the number 6192295.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£190

Starting price
£70