A Highlands 'Ullapool' soldier's Great War 'Reconnaissance' bravery and campaign medal group of 3: Private James Roderick Matheson, M.M.. M.A. (Hons), 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders, late 7th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

- Military Medal. GV (S-43492 Pte. J. R. Matheson. 2/ Gord: Hdrs)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (S-22202 Pte. J. R. Matheson. Camerons.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (S-22202 Pte. J. R. Matheson. Camerons.)

Note: With traces of plating on BWM

Military Medal: The award confirmed published in the London Gazette issue of 4 February 1918. While no official recommendation for the award is extant, the below following 'story' pertaining to the award of the Military Medal has been contributed by a descendent, on the Imperial War Museum's 'Lives of the Great War' project, see:

- https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/story/91064 -

which we are here quoting below with courtesy and thanks:

Quote,

James R Matheson was my great uncle, and known by the family as Seamus. He was exactly 70 years older than me, and when I was about 16 he told me about his experience of the war. He told me that he had 'gone over the top' four times. He also told me that later in the war (I think probably in Passchendaele) he either volunteered (or was volunteered) to go over to where the German barbed wire was to see if it had been cut through prior to an advance by his part of the army. He described vividly the mud, having to shelter in shell holes, and being machine gunned at by the enemy. When he got back it was found that there were bullet holes in his kilt, but he had not been hit. After reporting back the commanding officer offered him a cigarette, and he told him he didn't smoke, then he was offered a whisky, and he told him he didn't drink. He was awarded a military medal for this. He was a science student at Aberdeen University, and he told me that he knew that the odds of personal survival were better for a private than for a NCO - he achieved staying a private and he survived the war without injury.

Unquote.

Medals Verification: The Military Medal and Great War campaign medals all verified as issued per the respective London Gazette award notice and respective medal rolls of the Gordon Highlanders, as under:

a). Military Medal: Reference Supplement to the London Gazette issue of 4 February 1918 (shows place of residence Ullapool)

b). British War Medal. Silver issue: Ref WO 329/1660 (shows first entered theatre of war as No S-22202 with 7/Camerons)

c). Interallied Victory Medals: Ref WO 329/1660 (shows first entered theatre of war as No S-22202 with 7/Camerons)

Reference 'The University of Aberdeen Roll of Service 1914-1919 (Allardyce, 1921)', for below quoted service details:

Quote,

MATHESON, JAMES RODERICK, B.Sc.,

s. of James M.: b. Ullapool, 14 Oct. 1892. B.Sc. 1919. Pte., 3rd Cameron Hrs., 10 Jan 1916. Served with 2nd Gordon Hrs., 5th H.L.I. (No. 1 Reception Batt.). Home, 1916, 1918-19; France, Italy, June 1916-Oct. 1918. M.M., Oct. 1917.

Unquote.

James Roderick Matheson, was the third son of James Matheson (a Carter) and Ena Matheson (nee McLeod). The 1901 National Census for Scotland, records James (described as scholar) living with his parents and 5 x siblings, comprising 2 x brothers, viz; Kenneth Matheson & Samuel Matheson, and 2 x sisters, viz; Margaret Matheson & Isabella Matheson. In 1901, the Matheson family lived in the parish of Loch Broom at, Shore Street, Ullapool, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland. Prior to the Great War, James had been a student at the University of Aberdeen, where he graduated with a BSc degree in 1919. During the Great War, James enlisted in the British Army and was posted to his local infantry regiment, the Queen Own's Cameron Highlanders, subsequently serving in France with 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders. Later he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders, with which latter unit he served in France, being decorated with the Military Medal for bravery, and later served in Italy when 2/ Gordons were transferred to that theatre of war. James survived the Great War, and took his final discharge from the British Army on. After the Great War, James returned to teaching, and after graduation in 1919, pursued a long and distinguished career as a 'Teacher'. He worked variously in Scotland, including a teaching post in Motherwell, Lanarkshire, and in England. He married Margaret May Cullum, at Dalziel, Scotland, in 1925. The 1939 National Register for England & Wales records James, described as Schoolmaster Science & Maths, living with his wife, at 193 Worting Road, Basingstoke, Basingstoke M.B., Hampshire, England. James Roderick Matheson is confirmed having died on, 1981, and his remains were interred in his native place of birth, located at, Morefield Cemetery, Ullapool, Highland, Scotland

The medals professionally court-mounted (by Spink of London). The reverse of the mounting bar retaining it's original long stout hinged pin & clasp fittings

Sold together with some hard-copy research

The medals cleaned with traces of plating on BWM

Condition: About VF

Code: 22636