Lot 24
An Italy Campaign, Downgraded DCM – Knight of St Lazarus
Clandestine Operations - Inc The D.J. Croll Medal Collection & Other Properties | M26002
Auction: 16 September 2026 at 10.30 BST
Description
The Purdie Brothers
The Interesting Group awarded to Brevet Colonel Thomas Duncan Purdie, Royal Artillery and Royal Army Ordnance Corps who was an Officer of the Order of St John and a Knight of the Order of St Lazarus and Honorary Colonel Royal Army Ordnance Corps T.A.V.R Scotland and Northern Ireland Region in 1976 comprising, The Order of St John, Officer, White Enamel, France & Germany Star, 1939-45 Defence Medal, 1939-45 War Medal, Territorial Decoration EiiR, officially dated (1952), Knight of the Order of St Lazarus, Neck Badge and Breast Star, all unnamed as issued. Very fine (7)
Efficiency Decoration the London Gazette 7th July 1950
Lt. (Hon. Maj. T.D. Purdie (245541)
The Military Medal, Downgraded from a DCM by Field Marshal Montogomery personally, awarded to Sergeant James Gordon Purdie, 78 Field Regiment Royal Artillery who was awarded the Military Medal for “outstanding example to his detachment and his whole Troop on the 12th of May 1943 when a very heavy concentration from all calibres of guns was brought down on his troop position” comprising, Military Medal, GVIR (900430 Sjt. J. G. Purdie. R.A.), 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, 8th Army Clasp, Italy Star, 1939-45 Defence Medal, 1939-45 War Medal, all unnamed as issued, Territorial Efficiency Medal, GVIR Territorial Suspension, (900430 Sjt. J.G. Purdie. R.A.), MM “900” of Service Number officially corrected, TEM “URDIE” of surname re-engraved. Otherwise all lightly toned very fine (7)
Military Medal the London Gazette 25th of November 1943
900430 W/Bdr. (A/Sgt) Purdie, James Gordon 78 Field Regiment Royal Artillery (Levan, Fife)
This NCO throughout the battle has by his imperturbability and coolness under fire been an outstanding example to his detachment and his whole Troop. On the 12th of May when a very heavy concentration from all calibres of guns was brought down on his Troop position his gun suffered many near misses which through debris and splinters into the gun pit, in spite of which, thanks to his coolness and example, his gun, which was engaged on an important Defensive Fire Task, kept shooting without any pause and without missing a round.
DCM Recommendation by Lt Col J.R.E Benson RA Co 78 Field Regt RA - Downgraded By Field Marshall Montgomery Personally to a Military Medal.
Sold with Copy Gazette entries and Copy MM Citation. Both groups contained within a Glazed Frame, Knight of St Lazarus in Box of Issue named (Colonel T D Purdie TD KLJ), two further Order of St John awards in case of issue.
James Gordon Purdie, born 5th Dec 1918 to Robert Purdie & Elizabeth, nee Duncan, Dunfermline, Fife. Died 2004 without marrying,
Only sibling was Thomas Duncan Purdie, born 15th April 1920 at Edinburgh, married Margaret Potter, one child, died 1986.
