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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 475

Family Collection

The campaign group of three awarded to Lieutenant A. Cruden, M.C., 5th (Buchan and Formartin) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, who was wounded and taken Prisoner of War when his Battalion was decimated on the First Day of the Spring Offensive, later being awarded the M.C. for his bravery

1914-15 Star (3341 L.Cpl. A. Cruden. Gord. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. Cruden.), good very fine (3)

Pair: Lieutenant H. Cruden, Gordon Highlanders, seconded 6th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps

British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. Cruden.), good very fine (2)

Albert Cruden was born at Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire in 1898, the son of Lewis and Maggie Cruden of 53 Saltoun Place, Fraserburgh. Educated at Fraserburgh Infant School he left in 1911 and enlisted with the Gordon Highlanders, being posted to the 5th Battalion and entering the war in France on 12 October 1915.

Cruden served there until he was commissioned on 24 January 1917, going on to serve in the same Battalion as 2nd Lieutenant in 'C' Company. He was serving in that same rank when the German Spring Offensive broke on 21 March 1918 and Cruden found himself swept up in the chaos.

They were in the Gricourt-Fresnoy Sector at the time and found it 'unusually quiet' only to come under an exceptionally heavy barrage on the morning of 21 March. German troops managed to infiltrate the frontlines and the first the Battalion knew they were advancing towards the Headquarters. The battle from this point became so confused that the war diary gives scant details.

What is clear is that the Battalion, especially the officers were decimated, a total of 25 officers were casualties with Cruden listed as 'wounded and prisoner'. The unit suffered an overall total of 560 men, killed, wounded and prisoners during the disastrous day of fighting.

It is likely that his capture accounts for the late Gazette of Cruden's M.C. and that it was awarded for his actions during the 21 March. Notably after the outbreak of the Second World War he was again commissioned Lieutenant although what his service in this conflict entailed has not been uncovered; sold together with copied research.

Harry Cruden was born at Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire on 16 August 1895, the son of Lewis and Maggie Cruden of 53 Saltoun Place, Fraserburgh. Educated at Fraserburgh Infant School he left in 1903 and enlisted with the Gordon Highlanders, entering the war in France on 3 May 1915. Cruden served until he was commissioned into the 5th Battalion on 23 June 1916.

Seconded to the 6th King's Royal Rifles Corps on 8 October 1917 he was advanced Lieutenant with them on 23 December. This unit had two Battalions, one of which served in German East Africa and the other of which was part of the British East Africa Garrison. Cruden was restored to the establishment on 1 February 1919; sold together with copied research and a small original archive comprising one cloth badge, two cap badges and a 1914 Christmas Tin.

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Sold for
£270

Starting price
£150