“FOR BRAVERY IN THE FIELD”
James Ritchie was part of a later reinforcement arrival who joined the unit in France during 1916. He won his MM for his great bravery in the late months of the war, probably at The Battle of Amiens.
[1st Bn THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS]
1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders was based in Plymouth with 8th Brigade in 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 14th of August 1914, with a landing at Boulogne.
They were straight into action at The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, and after taking heavy casualties at Le Cateau, they transferred to Army Troops, on the 12th of September 1914. They returned to 8th Brigade on the 30th of September.
On the 19th of October 1915 they transferred to 76th Brigade still with 3rd Division. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge.
In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre.
In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres.
They then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai.
In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle.
After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.
AN EXCELLENT MILITARY MEDAL & PAIR IN AEF CONDITION, COMPLETE WITH AN ORIGINAL GORDON HIGHLANDERS GLENGARRY BADGE.
SOLD