Pte Robert J McAllister DCM

[Blackblue]

10062 Pte Robert J McAllister was awarded the DCM in the London Gazette supplement on the 14 January 1916. His entry states that he was 3rd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry formerly 1st Battalion. The date of the action is unknown.

'For conspicuous gallantry. Private McAllister volounteered to form one of a bombing party in an attack on the enemy's barricade. Although wounded, he attempted to charge the barricade, but was forced to retire, being wounded again in three places by bullets, and also injured by a bomb. His bravey and devotion to duty were most marked'.

He was apparently severely wounded in the action which won him his DCM and eventually died from the effects soon after the war ended.

After the HLI he served as 29987 of the Machine Gun Corps then as WR/3000019 and 264781 Royal Engineers.

Did he win his DCM with the 1st Battalion or the 3rd Battalion. (Was the 3rd a reserve battalion?).

Can anyone advise what the battalion were doing on the day he won it?

Can anyone shed any further light on the rest of his service from his service numbers?

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

Regards

Tim D

[Blackblue]

Medal Indec Card.

[Blackblue]

Disregard the 1st or 3rd Battalion question. Didn't think to look at the Long Long Trail at the time of the post.

Regards

TD

[Blackblue]

Now the obvious question is whether anyone can shed any light on where and when McAllister won his DCM whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry.

Regards

Tim D

[olosangus]

Have you tried looking in the PRO - the index card for the DCM would probably give the unit , and the annotated copies of the London Gazette ( w0 391 1-7) would probably have the place adn date for the action. having identified the date and unit you can then check out the war diary.

[Blackblue]

Thanks mate. I have checked out both the initial gazetting and the citation and neither advises a date of action. I will try and get someone to have a look at the card for me.

Cheers

TD