MEDAL SPECIALISTS Dix Noonan Web are selling a quality collection of medals and awards this weekend relating to The Black Watch, including medals to the 42nd Highlanders and 73rd Foot, which merged to become the famous regiment.
I illustrate a medal that is rather scarce and unfamiliar.
It is an example of the Wauchope Medal in silver. Its obverse is engraved ‘For Conspicuous Gallantry on Givenchy Hill Oct. 8th. 1915’; the reverse with, ‘2nd. Bn. The Black Watch to Pte. T. Lamb from Lt. Col. A. G. Wauchope’.
The medal takes its name from Major-General Andrew Gilbert Wauchope, a Black Watch officer who was killed commanding a brigade during the Boer War. Â Wauchope was eager to give a mark of recognition to those who distinguished themselves in battle.
Approximately 70 Wauchope Medals were awarded to the Royal Highlanders during the Great War, mostly for gallantry at the Battles of Loos, with 10 given to men who had distinguished themselves scouting in No Man’s Land.
Every Scottish regiment was involved in the Battle of Loos in September and October 1915, but such was the loss of local men, particularly from the 4th Battalion Black Watch, that it became known as Dundee’s Darkest Day.
Thomas Lamb lived at 3 Sinclair Street, Lochee and served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders.
Alas, he was killed in action at Shaikh Saad on January 7, 1916 and is buried at Amara war cemetery, Iraq. He was just 19 years old.
Made by silversmiths Elkington, the medal is housed in its London case of issue.  It carries pre-sale hopes of £600-£700.
Picture: Wauchope Medal, £600-£700 (Dix Noonan Webb).
