DSO and MILITARY CROSS group. Stunning and rarely availabl...

Estimate

£2,750 - £3,750

DSO and MILITARY CROSS group.

Stunning and rarely available DOUBLE Gallantry twice wounded WWI medal group to Major Robert Speirs Dixon with a huge number of original photos and documents charting the rise of a very young 2nd Lieutenant from 1914 - all the way to a ridiculously young "acting" Lieutenant-Colonel of the Highland Light infantry by the end of the war (such were the levels of officer casualties).

The DSO citation is wonderful - surely close to a VC award?
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He conducted a daring reconnaissance clearing up a difficult situation, and afterwards was of great assistance in organising and rallying men of other divisions during the battle. When his commanding officer fell he took command and drove the enemy out of the area. Later, he led his men with great determination and courage against vastly superior numbers, thereby materially assisting the retirement of the whole division". His grand-nephew told the vendor that he went from one flank to the other and back - TWICE through withering fire to get the men whose officers had all been killed, up and fighting again - sprints across the battlefield that left many jaws on the floor.

The group includes his genuine:
Medals
- Cased Distinguished Service Order (DSO) medal with original War Office slip.
- Cased solid silver Military Cross (MC).
- His full set of Miniature medals including DSO, MC, WW1 1914/15 Star, War Medal and Victory Medal with Mention in Despatches Oak Leaf. These have been worn and were previously court mounted and retain some of the mounting material and glue on the reverse. The miniatures were obtained directly from his family after the DSO, MC & photos etc. were bought in auction years ago by the vendor. Unfortunately, no amount of searching by his family could turn up his 3 standard full size WW1 medals.

Two original photos show Speirs Dixon as a cadet of the OTC at Uppingham School in 1911 and as a newly minted 2nd Lieutenant being presented at the court of HM King George V in 1914.

Original Documents
- King's Commission as 2nd Lieutenant Land Forces, dated 2nd Feb 1914, Pencil signed George R J.
- King's Commission as Major (his substantive rank) dated 16 Dec 1919, Pencil signed George R J.
- Appointment to Order of the Distinguished Service Order dated 26 July 1918, Pen signed George R J.
- Mentioned in Despatch certificate, dated 8th November 1918 (how close to the end was that!), signed (auto signature?) Winston Churchill.
- A wonderful hand-annotated (mistakes corrected in Speirs Dixons own hand) "Record of Service 12th Bn Highland Light Infantry" with attached letter to Speirs Dixon from "Southern Command" dated 1st June 1926 discussing errors. Cover sheet is detached and the record is a bit dog-eared.

Copy records
- the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY CHRONICLE from April 1917 with many highlighted sections referring to Speirs Dixon.
- Military Cross Qualification - copy of card - qualified 10th July 1915 NOMROLL/9/1166/1
- Numerous copies 1914-1919 Supplement to the LONDON GAZETTES which mention Speirs Dixon including his Gallantry DSO Citation (above) from 26 July 1918
- Army lists from 1914-1920 with Speirs Dixon highlighted.
#20

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