Beschreibung:

Family group: A Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Captain W. Birnie, Seaforth Highlanders Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. W. Birnie); Defence Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, together with a set of related miniature dress medals, very fine and better A Second World War campaign group of four awarded to Captain D. W. S. Birnie, King’s Own Scottish Borderers 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, with their original addressed card forwarding box and related Army Council slip, and a set of related miniature dress medals, extremely fine (16) £800-1000 Footnote M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919. The original recommendation states: ‘During the operations from 21-28 July 1918, north-west of Epernay, this officer did splendid work and was of the greatest assistance to his Commanding Officer. The duties of Adjutant were ably carried out by him in the midst of heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, and frequently adverse weather conditions, when the only cover available were shell holes. The devotion to duty displayed by him materially assisted in the success of the operations. During the advance on 28 July 1918, when one of the companies came under heavy machine-gun fire and shell fire, he assisted in manoeuvring the company in such a manner that casualties were avoided and order restored amongst the men who had been slightly disorganised by the suddenness of the heavy fire opened upon them.’ Mention in despatches London Gazette 28 December 1918. The original recommendation states: ‘For continuous good service during the period 17 September to 11 November 1918. Captain Birnie has always performed his duties as Adjutant, whether in or out of action, with conspicuous success and with untiring energy. Both tactically and administratively his services have been invaluable. In particular on 12 October at Avesner-les-Sec, he made a personal reconnaissance under heavy fire and brought back valuable information as to the situation. His gallantry in the forward area on this occasion greatly assisted in restoring a somewhat critical situation.’ William Birnie, originally from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, was born in July 1889 and pre-war worked as a travelling secretary to Sir Thomas Lipton. Enlisting in the Seaforths (Territorial Force) shortly after the outbreak of hostilities, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion in April 1915 and was first embarked for France in March 1918, where, in the temporary rank of Captain, and latterly as Adjutant, he won his M.C. and “mention”; sold with the recipient’s original Officer’s Record of Service (Army Book 430), together with old pencilled recommendations for his M.C. and “mention”, as cited above, one or two official wartime letters and several newspaper cuttings. Douglas William Stow Birnie must probably served in the 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers during the Burma campaign, in which theatre of war the unit was heavily engaged 1943-45, many actions being fought in the Arakan, Imphal-Kohima and during the advance on Mandalay; the above described card forwarding box is addressed to ‘Capt. D. W. S. Birnie, 5 Whitchurch Gardens, Edgware, Middlesex’.