A Great War 1918 'Battle of the Scarpe' M.C. group of five awarded to Lieutenant W. W....

A Great War 1918 ‘Battle of the Scarpe’ M.C. group of five awarded to Lieutenant W. W. Speid, Royal Highlanders, late 14th (County of London) Battalion (London Scottish), London Regiment, who was thrice wounded during the Great War, including on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916 Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (3519. Pte. W. W. Speid. 14-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. W. Speid.); Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s French Commemorative Medal for the Battles of the Somme 1914-1918 and 1940, bronze, good very fine (6) £1,000-£1,400 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- M.C. London Gazette 11 January 1919: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Beside his own company, he commanded two platoons, whose officers had become casualties, of the company on his flank, and by fine leadership and skilful handling of the situation he beat off repeated enemy attacks. Later he organised and led attacks on enemy pockets. He showed great courage and cheerfulness throughout.’ William Wallace Speid was born at Wynberg, Cape Colony, on 20 June 1891 and was educated at Clifton College. He attested for the 14th Battalion (London Scottish), London Regiment on 5 November 1914, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 18 March 1915, suffering a gun shot wound to the right thigh on 19 August 1915. Recovering, he saw further service on the Western Front from 3 May 1916, and was was again wounded by gun shot to the left forearm on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. Returning to England, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) on 28 February 1917. Attached to the 1/7th Battalion, he served with them on the Western Front from 3 July 1917, and was severely wounded a third time by gun shot on 23 March 1918, being admitted to the Duchess of Westminster’s Hospital at Le Touquet. Recovering, he rejoined the battalion on 16 August 1918, and was promoted Lieutenant on 1 September 1918. Speid was awarded the Military Cross for his services during the Battle of the Scarpe, as part of the final offensive. The Regimental History gives further details: ‘The great general offensive on the British front south of the River Scarpe had now begun, and on the evening of the 23rd August the attacking troops moved into the line followed by the remainder of the Battalion, the relief being complete by 12.30 a.m. on the 24th August. The task of the 51st Division was to protect the left flank from the great attacks south of the Scarpe by capturing certain tactical features north of the river, namely, Greenland Hill and Hausa and Debar Wood. The Battalion’s objective included the famous Hyderabad Redoubt on the left of the 51st Division front. The assault took place at 4.30 a.m. on the 24th August, and as “A” and “D” companies advanced on the left of the Division, No. 1 platoon formed a defensive flank, while on the right “D” company maintained touch with the 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. The attack was successful in every way, the only check being on the left of Hyderabad Redoubt, where two officers of “A” company were killed. At the most easterly point of the Redoubt there was extremely heavy fighting in which Lieutenant Speid and Sergeants Greig and Adamson especially distinguished themselves.’ Sold with the recipient’s named Certificate for the French Commemorative Medal for the Battles of the Somme; and copied research. Note: Coronation Medal unconfirmed.