Full medal write up
MILITARY MEDAL GV AND 2ND AWARD BAR ‘10082 L. SJT: - SJT: - R. TIPPEN. 2/GORD: HDRS’
MM London Gazette 28 January 1918.
Bar London Gazette 4 February 1918.
Lance Corporal Robert Tippen, 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders, from Newmilns, East Ayrshire, Scotland, entered the French theatre of War on 7 October 1914. Listed among the wounded for 26 November 1914, he is also listed as being treated in Falkirk infirmary (details of wound not noted) on 17 March 1917. Having returned to duty, he was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in October 1917, being listed in the Battalion War diary for awards for that month. During October 1917, the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders were involved in the battle of Passchendaele, in particular at Nordemdhock Ridge, where they took part in a bold assault under artillery fire. At the end of the month they were in action again at Gheluvelt, further south on the Menin Road, where they were forced to abandon their objective through loss of men. By the end of October they had lost a devastating 660 killed and wounded. Given the Gazette date, it is believed the Bar to the M.M. was for Passchendaele also. Promoted Sergeant, Tippen later transferred to the 1st Battalion, Regimental number 2865093.
Sergeant Tippen was presented with his MM and Bar by Lt Colonel Forbes at King Street Barracks on 14 September 1918, a photograph of Tippen having his award pinned to his breast is featured in ‘Aberdeen in the Great War’ by Derek Tait.
Tippen was also entitled to the 1914 Star/clasp and British War/Victory, duplicates of all being sent in November 1923. He was also entitled to the Long Service medal, which was issued in 1926. Neither Long service or MM were replaced, suggesting the trio perhaps lost in transit to him.
Condition VF, some contact wear and minor EK’s. Sold with copy research including MIC, medal rolls, LG’s, MM/bar card. Not Bar is a good copy.