A fine Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., M.M. and Second Award Bar...
A fine Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., M.M. and Second Award Bar group of seven awarded to Acting Colour Sergeant Major D. Dougan, Cameron Highlanders, who thrice distinguished himself on the Western Front in 1918 despite having being wounded in action on at least three occasions
Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9966 Sjt. D. Dougan. Cam. Highrs.); Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (9966 Sjt. D. Dougan. Cam. Highrs.); 1914-15 Star (S-9966 Pte. D. Dougan. Camerons.); British War and Victory Medals (S.9966. Pte. D. Dougan. Camerons.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, both Second War medals impressed Boots style ‘352621 W/O D. Dougan R.A.F.’, the Great War awards all officially impressed later issues, very fine (7) £1,200-£1,600
Footnote
D.C.M. London Gazette 2 December 1919:
‘For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst in command of a platoon during the advance of the 28th September 1918 and subsequent fighting. He captured an enemy machine gun single handed thus relieving his platoon from a great danger. Later he handled his platoon splendidly under heavy machine-gun fire, pushing forward and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. He showed most able and determined leadership whereby he saved many casualties.’
M.M. London Gazette 27 June 1918. The citation was published in the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald on 14 March 1919:
‘At Givenchy: Awarded the Military Medal on April 15th, 1918. While in charge of the platoon, the company came under heavy machine-gun and shell fire. Sergt. Dougan organised and led a bombing party against a pill-box which was holding up the whole attack. He inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, thus enabling his comrades and himself to advance.’
M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 12 March 1919. The above source continues:
‘Kemmell: Awarded Bar to Military Medal, 10th May, 1918, for going out under shell fire and carrying water to extinguish a fire which was caused in a shell dump by the enemy’s barrage. The quick action of Sergt. Dougan saved the company from great casualties.’
David Dougan was born in the Parish of High Knightswood, Lanark, in 1894, and attested for the Cameron Highlanders at Glasgow on 15 August 1914. Posted to France with the 5th Battalion on 10 May 1915, his Army Service Record notes that he was raised Lance Corporal on 17 June 1915 and was wounded in action on 15 October 1915. Admitted to No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station suffering from a bullet wound to the forehead, he was transferred to the 28th Field Ambulance and recorded temporarily unfit for active service soon thereafter. Sent to Base Details at Boulogne in early December 1915, Dougan was tried by F.G.C.M. for drunkenness and found guilty; sentenced to 21 days’ field punishment No. 1, his record notes transfer to Etaples as ‘prisoner’ on 12 December 1915.
Suffering from headaches, Dougan rejoined his unit in January 1916 and returned to the Western Front. Wounded in action again on 15 July 1916, he was evacuated to England to recover. Rejoining his comrades, he was wounded on a third occasion on 6 April 1918 - suffering a gunshot wound to the foot - but returned from hospital in June 1918 only to be struck down by a stomach illness. Recovered, he was thrice decorated over the next 18 months and was accepted on 29 March 1919 as a volunteer for one years’ service with the Army of Occupation in Germany. Appointed Acting Colour Sergeant Major on 14 April 1919, Dougan finally returned home to Scotland in August 1919 and received a gold pocket watch from the inhabitants of High Knightswood in appreciation of his bravery.
Bid on this lot
A fine Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., M.M. and Second Award Bar group of seven awarded to Acting Colour Sergeant Major D. Dougan, Cameron Highlanders, who thrice distinguished himself on the Western Front in 1918 despite having being wounded in action on at least three occasions
Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9966 Sjt. D. Dougan. Cam. Highrs.); Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (9966 Sjt. D. Dougan. Cam. Highrs.); 1914-15 Star (S-9966 Pte. D. Dougan. Camerons.); British War and Victory Medals (S.9966. Pte. D. Dougan. Camerons.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, both Second War medals impressed Boots style ‘352621 W/O D. Dougan R.A.F.’, the Great War awards all officially impressed later issues, very fine (7) £1,200-£1,600
Footnote
D.C.M. London Gazette 2 December 1919:
‘For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst in command of a platoon during the advance of the 28th September 1918 and subsequent fighting. He captured an enemy machine gun single handed thus relieving his platoon from a great danger. Later he handled his platoon splendidly under heavy machine-gun fire, pushing forward and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. He showed most able and determined leadership whereby he saved many casualties.’
M.M. London Gazette 27 June 1918. The citation was published in the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald on 14 March 1919:
‘At Givenchy: Awarded the Military Medal on April 15th, 1918. While in charge of the platoon, the company came under heavy machine-gun and shell fire. Sergt. Dougan organised and led a bombing party against a pill-box which was holding up the whole attack. He inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, thus enabling his comrades and himself to advance.’
M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 12 March 1919. The above source continues:
‘Kemmell: Awarded Bar to Military Medal, 10th May, 1918, for going out under shell fire and carrying water to extinguish a fire which was caused in a shell dump by the enemy’s barrage. The quick action of Sergt. Dougan saved the company from great casualties.’
David Dougan was born in the Parish of High Knightswood, Lanark, in 1894, and attested for the Cameron Highlanders at Glasgow on 15 August 1914. Posted to France with the 5th Battalion on 10 May 1915, his Army Service Record notes that he was raised Lance Corporal on 17 June 1915 and was wounded in action on 15 October 1915. Admitted to No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station suffering from a bullet wound to the forehead, he was transferred to the 28th Field Ambulance and recorded temporarily unfit for active service soon thereafter. Sent to Base Details at Boulogne in early December 1915, Dougan was tried by F.G.C.M. for drunkenness and found guilty; sentenced to 21 days’ field punishment No. 1, his record notes transfer to Etaples as ‘prisoner’ on 12 December 1915.
Suffering from headaches, Dougan rejoined his unit in January 1916 and returned to the Western Front. Wounded in action again on 15 July 1916, he was evacuated to England to recover. Rejoining his comrades, he was wounded on a third occasion on 6 April 1918 - suffering a gunshot wound to the foot - but returned from hospital in June 1918 only to be struck down by a stomach illness. Recovered, he was thrice decorated over the next 18 months and was accepted on 29 March 1919 as a volunteer for one years’ service with the Army of Occupation in Germany. Appointed Acting Colour Sergeant Major on 14 April 1919, Dougan finally returned home to Scotland in August 1919 and received a gold pocket watch from the inhabitants of High Knightswood in appreciation of his bravery.
