A poignant 'Dundee Interest' Battle of Aubers Ridge - Black Watch Victoria Cross Action - Great War casualty medal group of 3: Private George Dalziel, 1st Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch)
- 1914-15 Star (2033. Pte. G. Dalziel, R. Highrs.)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (2033 Pte. G. Dalziel, R. Highrs.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (2033 Pte. G. Dalziel, R. Highrs.)
Killed-in-Action: Private George Dalziel is confirmed having been 'Killed-in-Action' at the Battle of Aubers Ridge on 9 May 1915
The Dundee 'Courier' newspaper issue of 21 May 1915, carried the below following article about the death of George Dalziel. from a 'Chum':
Quote,
A CHUM'S SAD TASK
Private George Dalziel, 1st Black Watch, is another Dundee victim of the recent severe fighting. Deceased's relatives, who reside at 38 Kemback Street, received the intimation of his death in a postcard from Pte. H. Cunningham, of the same regiment. He writes:- "Just a few lines to let you know that Pte. George Dalziel has fallen in action. As I am a chum of his it was his last wish that I would inform you."
Private Dalziel, who was 21 years of age, had about four years in the Black Watch, and before he enlisted was an apprentice engineer in Lilybank Foundry. A brother, Pte. Peter Dalziel, is at present in the fighting line in the rank of the Canadians.
Unquote.
Sadly for the Dalziel's - a 'Patriotic Family' - tragedy struck again, later in the Great War, when George's brother - serving with 1st Battalion (Ontario Regiment) Canadian Expeditionary Force - was 'Killed-in-Action'. The Dundee 'Courier' issue of 13 September 1918 reported as under
Quote,
Private Peter. M. Dalziel, Canadians, whose wife resides at 39 High Street, was killed in action on 4th September. Private Dalziel, who was 23 years of age, went to Canada six years ago. He had been in France for three years and seven months. He is the second son of Mr and Mrs Dalziel, 28 Raglan Street, to make the supreme sacrifice, as his brother, Pte. George Dalziel, Black Watch, was killed on 9th May, 1915.
Unquote.
Medals Verification: All three Great War medals verified as the recipient's full medal entitlement for the Great War per the below referenced medal rolls, and which medals would have been issued to Pte. Dalziel's nominated next of kin:
- 1914-15 Star: WO 329/2741. Shows disembarked 1/Royal Highlanders (France) 24/11/14, KIA 09/05/15
- British War Medal. Silver issue: WO 329/1351
- Interallied Victory Medal: WO 329/1351
On the same day of the Battle of Augers Ridge, in which George Dalziel was 'Killed-in-Action', another member of the same Black Watch battalion, Sergeant John 'Jock' Ripley, performed his deeds of extreme gallantry, for which he was rewarded with the Victoria Cross - Jock had the distinction of being the oldest VC recipient of the Great Wat having gained the decoration at the age of 47!. His inspirational citation, as published in the London Gazette issue of, 28 June 1915, is quoted below:
Quote,
"No. 2832 Corporal John Ripley, 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).
For most conspicuous bravery at Rue du
Bois on 9th May, 1915.
When leading his section on the right of
the right platoon in the assault, he was the
first man of the battalion to ascend the
enemy's parapet, and from there he directed
those following him to the gaps in the
German wire entanglements. He then led
his section through a breach in the parapet
to a second line of trench, which had previously been decided upon as the final
• objective in this part of our line.
In that position Corporal Ripley, with
seven or eight men, established himself,
blocking both flanks and arranging a fire
position, which he continued to defend until
all his men had fallen and he himself had
been badly wounded in the head."
Condition: About EF
Code: 25490