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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 648

A posthumous 1917 D.C.M. awarded to Serjeant H. McMillan, 112 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, who was mortally wounded winning his award

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (63141 Sjt: H. Mc.Millan. C.112/Bde: R.F.A.), light contact wear, very fine

D.C.M. London Gazette 26 January 1918, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty with a signalling party in our front line. Finding it impossible to keep a telephone line through to his battery, he established a visual station back to the brigade rear observation post, and when the smoke of the barrage made it impossible to flash messages any longer he undertook the work of carrying them himself, continually passing through heavy barrages with the finest disregard of personal safety until he was severely wounded. He was of invaluable service to his battery, and his splendid determination and high sense of duty on these occasions was only one of many instances in which he has earned the admiration of all ranks.'

Hector McMillan was born at Glasgow in 1888, the son of Alexander and Annie McMillan. He worked as a clerk for the Midland Goods Office while living in Inverness prior to the Great War. Attesting with the Royal Field Artillery McMillan joined C Battery, 112 Brigade and entered the war in France with them on 27 September 1915.

This Brigade was attached to the 25th Division for most of the war and it was with them at Passchendaele that McMillan was decorated for his bravery. Tragically he was also severely wounded with the head with the casualty clearing station giving his injury as 'GS[W] Head. Frac. Base Skull'. McMillan died at the station as a result of his wound on 6 August 1917 and was buried at Mendinghem Military Cemetery; sold together with copied research.

Note Commonwealth War Graves lists McMillan's name as MacMillan.

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Sold for
£550

Starting price
£420