A Superb
“Battle of Festubert”
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
With an Outstanding “One Man Army” Battle Citation.
A Motherwell man.
1339 L/ Cpl ROBERT SAMPSON.
1st/6th (Cameronians) Scottish Rifles.T.F.
With original glengarry badge.
[THE MEDAL]
1339 L.Cpl R. SAMPSON. 1/6 SCO: RIF: -T.F.
(Practically Mint State)
[CITATION] L.G. 11th March 1916.
“For conspicuous gallantry. An enemy trench having been captured, the men holding it found themselves attacked by a strong party of enemy bombers and riflemen. Lance-Corporal Sampson climbed to
the top of the parapet, in a most exposed position, and under heavy fire, kept the enemy back with his rifle, thus enabling his men to strengthen the position.”
[BIOGRAPHY]1893-
Robert Sampson was born in 1893 and was the son of Mr Peter Sampson of Firwood Place, Windmill Hill Street, Motherwell, Scotland. Prior to enlistment he worked at the factory of Hurst Nelson & Company, manufacturers of rolling stock and plant in Motherwell.
Robert was the youngest of four brothers. Elder brothers Peter, Walter & James Sampson also joined the army and amazingly all four Sampson brothers survived the war.
He joined the army on 9th February 1911 aged 18 and originally served with “H” (Motherwell) company. He had been connected with the territorial army for some years and was called up in August 1914.
[TO FRANCE]
He and his unit arrived in France on 21st March 1915 and at that time he transferred to “D” Company. His company was heavily engaged in what was terribly fierce fighting in May of 1915 at Festubert.
It was here where against very heavy enemy resistance his unit gained and held onto territory previously occupied by the Germans. It was while holding an ex-enemy position during a fierce German counter attack that Robert greatly distinguished himself by standing alone with his .303 Le Enfield rifle in a totally exposed position on the parapet of the captured trench. His actions were carried out under heavy fire, but he managed to successfully repulse the enemy. For this selfless act he won his Distinguished Conduct Medal.
His friend Pte Andrew Robertson also of “D” company and from Motherwell also won a D.C.M. for this action. Both men were on new year leave in January 1916 when news of their awards officially appeared in the local newspapers & The London Gazette of January 1916, much to the delight of their parents and the people of Motherwell.
[1/6th BATTALION]
August 1914 : at Muirhall in Hamilton. Part of Scottish Rifle Brigade, Lowland Division.
March 1915 : left the Division and moved to France, landing at Le Havre 21 March 1915.
24 March 1915 : transferred to 23rd Brigade in 8th Division.
2 June 1915 : transferred to 154th Brigade in 51st (Highland) Division.
12 January 1916 : became Divisional Troops, training as Pioneers.
25 February 1916 : transferred to 100th Brigade, 33rd Division.
29 May 1916 :merged with 1/6th Bn to become 5/6th Bn.
The medal comes with an original WW1 “other ranks” brass Glengarry cap badge, a file of various research papers including MIC.
Also, copies of a 1916 Motherwell newspaper which carries an interesting press write up with Robert’s picture and details of his service and award.
This wonderful medal is in totally superlative condition being “About Mint State” with fully proof-like surfaces and a light multi-coloured developing peripheral tone. Still on its original ribbon and pretty much exactly as it was at the time of issue. It has clearly never been
in contact with his trio which is out there somewhere !
DO YOU HAVE HIS TRIO IN YOUR COLLECTION ?
If so, please call us on 01342-870960 ...Thanks?
Won by a brave and clearly fearless Scotsman for his outstanding and near suicidal valour at Festubert for which he earned his DCM with its fine battle citation.
Clearly he was “Sampson by name...and Sampson by nature”
So, come on all you fierce Scottish Nationalists, this is for YOU !
£1750
with quality part-exchanges welcome.
[THE MEDAL]
1339 L.Cpl R. SAMPSON. 1/6 SCO: RIF: -T.F.
(Practically Mint State)
[CITATION] L.G. 11th March 1916.
“For conspicuous gallantry. An enemy trench having been captured, the men holding it found themselves attacked by a strong party of enemy bombers and riflemen. Lance-Corporal Sampson climbed to
the top of the parapet, in a most exposed position, and under heavy fire, kept the enemy back with his rifle, thus enabling his men to strengthen the position.”
[BIOGRAPHY]1893-
Robert Sampson was born in 1893 and was the son of Mr Peter Sampson of Firwood Place, Windmill Hill Street, Motherwell, Scotland. Prior to enlistment he worked at the factory of Hurst Nelson & Company, manufacturers of rolling stock and plant in Motherwell.
Robert was the youngest of four brothers. Elder brothers Peter, Walter & James Sampson also joined the army and amazingly all four Sampson brothers survived the war.
He joined the army on 9th February 1911 aged 18 and originally served with “H” (Motherwell) company. He had been connected with the territorial army for some years and was called up in August 1914.
[TO FRANCE]
He and his unit arrived in France on 21st March 1915 and at that time he transferred to “D” Company. His company was heavily engaged in what was terribly fierce fighting in May of 1915 at Festubert.
It was here where against very heavy enemy resistance his unit gained and held onto territory previously occupied by the Germans. It was while holding an ex-enemy position during a fierce German counter attack that Robert greatly distinguished himself by standing alone with his .303 Le Enfield rifle in a totally exposed position on the parapet of the captured trench. His actions were carried out under heavy fire, but he managed to successfully repulse the enemy. For this selfless act he won his Distinguished Conduct Medal.
His friend Pte Andrew Robertson also of “D” company and from Motherwell also won a D.C.M. for this action. Both men were on new year leave in January 1916 when news of their awards officially appeared in the local newspapers & The London Gazette of January 1916, much to the delight of their parents and the people of Motherwell.
[1/6th BATTALION]
August 1914 : at Muirhall in Hamilton. Part of Scottish Rifle Brigade, Lowland Division.
March 1915 : left the Division and moved to France, landing at Le Havre 21 March 1915.
24 March 1915 : transferred to 23rd Brigade in 8th Division.
2 June 1915 : transferred to 154th Brigade in 51st (Highland) Division.
12 January 1916 : became Divisional Troops, training as Pioneers.
25 February 1916 : transferred to 100th Brigade, 33rd Division.
29 May 1916 :merged with 1/6th Bn to become 5/6th Bn.
The medal comes with an original WW1 “other ranks” brass Glengarry cap badge, a file of various research papers including MIC.
Also, copies of a 1916 Motherwell newspaper which carries an interesting press write up with Robert’s picture and details of his service and award.
This wonderful medal is in totally superlative condition being “About Mint State” with fully proof-like surfaces and a light multi-coloured developing peripheral tone. Still on its original ribbon and pretty much exactly as it was at the time of issue. It has clearly never been
in contact with his trio which is out there somewhere !
DO YOU HAVE HIS TRIO IN YOUR COLLECTION ?
If so, please call us on 01342-870960 ...Thanks?
Won by a brave and clearly fearless Scotsman for his outstanding and near suicidal valour at Festubert for which he earned his DCM with its fine battle citation.
Clearly he was “Sampson by name...and Sampson by nature”
So, come on all you fierce Scottish Nationalists, this is for YOU !
£1750
with quality part-exchanges welcome.