A fine Invasion of Sicily Military Medal and later casualty group to Serjeant J.H. Dunn, 6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders who having seen prewar service with the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on the North West Frontier between Februa
A fine Invasion of Sicily Military Medal and later casualty group to Serjeant J.H. Dunn, 6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders who having seen prewar service with the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on the North West Frontier between February and October 1935 during the subjugation of the Faqir of Alingar would go on to see Second World War service in North Africa with the 8th Army and then during the invasion of Sicily where he would serve with 6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He would be awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 18th November 1943 for his bravery in directing his platoon under heavy machine gun fire whilst seriously wounded in the back and shoulder. He had previously taken over from his Platoon Commander who had been wounded whilst leading the Vanguard Company of the Battalion on the road to Augusta during the afternoon of 12th August 1943. He co-ordinated the fire of his platoon so well that the remainder of the Company was able to attack the enemy position and capture it, taking 50 prisoners in the process. He would later be killed in action serving with 5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment on 16th October 1943 and is now buried in the Minturno War Cemetery.
Group of 7: Military Medal, GVIR 1st type bust; (2976626 SJT. J.H. DUNN. SEAFORTH.) India General Service Medal 1908-1935 1 Clasp: North West Frontier 1935; (2976626 PTE. J. DUNN. A. & S.H.) 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star clasp 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal.
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Along with group photograph of members of the Seaforth Highlanders.
John Hume Dunn was born in Edinburgh in 1910, and later attested into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders most likely in 1928. He would go on to see service with the 2nd Battalion, Argyll & Seaforth Highlanders on the North West Frontier between February and October 1935 in the subjugation of the Faqir of Alingar amongst other matters.
Dunn would go on to see service during the Second World War where he would take part in the fighting in North Africa before later serving during the invasion of Sicily, during which he would win a Military Medal with the 6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, this being announced in the London Gazette of 18th November 1943, the recommendation for this award reading:
‘Soon after the landing in Sicily had begun, Sergeant Dunn’s Platoon Commander was wounded, he immediately took over command of the Platoon thereafter leading it with skill and determination. During the afternoon of 12th August 1943, Sergeant Dunn’s Platoon was leading the Vanguard Company of the Battalion on the road to Augusta. The Platoon suddenly came under extremely heavy machine gun fire from strongly held enemy positions and was unable to move forward. Sergeant Dunn was seriously wounded in the shoulder and back, and was unable to move or be extricated from the difficult position. Nevertheless, with great courage and fortitude, although in great pain, he co-ordinated the fire of his Platoon so well that the remainder of the Company was able to attack the enemy position and capture it, taking in the process about 50 prisoners.’
6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders landed on the first day of the invasion of Sicily, 10th July 1943, when they led an attack on the town Cassibile which they successfully captured, they would then go on to assist in the capture of Syracuse and later Augusta, two strategically important ports which would enable sufficient supply to allow the British forces to fight off the expected heavy German counterattacks.
By October 1943, Dunn would be fighting with the 5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, and on 16th October 1943, he would be killed in action, and would subsequently be buried in the Minturno War Cemetery, Italy.
