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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 405

Three: Private S. McGowan, 1/5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, who was killed in action on 12 July 1915 in the bloody attack up Achi Baba Nullah, Gallipoli

1914-15 Star (2287 Pte. S. McGowan. K. O. Sco: Bord:); British War and Victory Medals (2287 Pte. S. McGowan. K. O. Sco. Bord.), good very fine (3)

Samuel McGowan landed on Gallipoli with the 1/4th Battalion on 4 June 1915. He was killed in action just over a month later on 12 July 1915 with the 1/5th Battalion and is commemorated upon the Helles Memorial.

The Regiment gives more detail:

'One final attempt was made by the 52nd (Lowland) Division to breakthrough at Helles. The plan for the 12th July was to attack towards Krithia along Achi Baba Nullah. On the 11th July 1/4th and 1/5th KOSB moved into their allotted attack positions and at 7.35 am the following morning four ‘waves’ charged simultaneously. The first two waves were made up of the 1/4th KOSB and the third and fourth by the 1/5th KOSB, all having to negotiate very difficult terrain. Lt Col William J. Millar, Commanding the 1/5th described the attack in the Battalion war diary:

'Within 150 yards the charge became a walk but there was no wavering. The 1/4th R.S.F. and the French failed to advance beyond the line of the 1st Turkish trench. Hence the 1/4th K.O.S.B. was absolutely in the air, as also was the right of my leading (the third) wave. The first two waves (1/4th K.O.S.B.) failed to find any trace of the objective assigned to them…A certain number returned on my right but about 300 officers and men are still missing and unaccounted for.

'The 3rd wave was gradually bombed towards our left until a party of about 40 men under Lieut. Douglas was left. In spite of all efforts to dislodge him, Lieut. Douglas held on until reinforced, when the line was made good. The 1st Turkish trench was captured at once, consolidated and held.'

Casualties totalled 805.

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Sold for
£120

Starting price
£100