LT. COL. WILLIAM VERNON LUMSDEN, DSO, MC
1 January 1887 - 28 December 1966
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
This modest brass plaque commemorates a soldier who won no fewer than three DSOs. Until 1993 the DSO was awarded rewarding individual instances of meritorious or distinguished service in war. It was a military order, until recently for officers only, and normally given for service under fire. When awarded to more junior officers it was an indication they'd just missed out on winning a VC.
Lumsden was commissioned into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as a 2nd Lieutenant on 11/12/1907. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 20/5/1908, temporary Captain on 12/9/1914 and Captain on 12/12/1914. He qualified to instruct at a qualifying range taking (mekometer) class at School of Musketry at Hythe in 1912.
He sailed with 1st Bn. to India in 1909.
He was seconded to the Machine Gun Corps as a Brigade Machine Gun Officer on 15/5/1915 and served with the Machine Gun Corps until 5/2/1916. He was promoted to Temporary Major in the MGC on 15/5/1916. From 19/6 until 30/7/1917 he was Acting Lieutenant Colonel. William transferred to a Service Battalion of the Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) on 30/7/1917 and became a Temporary Lieutenant Colonel on 7/4/1918.
On 9/10/1919 Lumsden relinquished his temporary rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was reinstated to the rank of Temporary Major while commanding A Company In the Tank Corps on 24/10/1921. On 26/6/1923 he re-joined the Argylls and served with the 9th Battalion. He became a Major on 7/4/1924. At some point he also became Adjutant of the Battalion, as it is recorded he relinquishes the appointment of Adjutant on 16/3/1925. He then listed on the reserve of Officers as lieutenant Colonel 20/3/1930.
He is mentioned in a history book for the 1st Battalion from 1909 to 1939. This provides some information regarding his movements prior to WW1.
Unfortunately we haven't uncovered any information explaining why he received his first DSO or MC, below is some information from newspaper articles relating to his second DSO.
Also below is Lumsden's obituary from the Thin Red Line from 1967. Sadly, he drowned whilst walking his dogs beside the river Dee on Sluie Estate where he lived.
The other notes have been gleaned from the Forces War Records website. It is in chronological order of being Gazetted or, in the case of the MC, appearing in the New Year's Honours List:-
MC - New Year's Honours List 1917
Belgium Croix de Guerre 1st Class - 12 July 1918
Bar to DSO - 23 July 1918
2nd Bar to DSO - 1 February 1919
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
This modest brass plaque commemorates a soldier who won no fewer than three DSOs. Until 1993 the DSO was awarded rewarding individual instances of meritorious or distinguished service in war. It was a military order, until recently for officers only, and normally given for service under fire. When awarded to more junior officers it was an indication they'd just missed out on winning a VC.
Lumsden was commissioned into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as a 2nd Lieutenant on 11/12/1907. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 20/5/1908, temporary Captain on 12/9/1914 and Captain on 12/12/1914. He qualified to instruct at a qualifying range taking (mekometer) class at School of Musketry at Hythe in 1912.
He sailed with 1st Bn. to India in 1909.
He was seconded to the Machine Gun Corps as a Brigade Machine Gun Officer on 15/5/1915 and served with the Machine Gun Corps until 5/2/1916. He was promoted to Temporary Major in the MGC on 15/5/1916. From 19/6 until 30/7/1917 he was Acting Lieutenant Colonel. William transferred to a Service Battalion of the Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) on 30/7/1917 and became a Temporary Lieutenant Colonel on 7/4/1918.
On 9/10/1919 Lumsden relinquished his temporary rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was reinstated to the rank of Temporary Major while commanding A Company In the Tank Corps on 24/10/1921. On 26/6/1923 he re-joined the Argylls and served with the 9th Battalion. He became a Major on 7/4/1924. At some point he also became Adjutant of the Battalion, as it is recorded he relinquishes the appointment of Adjutant on 16/3/1925. He then listed on the reserve of Officers as lieutenant Colonel 20/3/1930.
He is mentioned in a history book for the 1st Battalion from 1909 to 1939. This provides some information regarding his movements prior to WW1.
Unfortunately we haven't uncovered any information explaining why he received his first DSO or MC, below is some information from newspaper articles relating to his second DSO.
Also below is Lumsden's obituary from the Thin Red Line from 1967. Sadly, he drowned whilst walking his dogs beside the river Dee on Sluie Estate where he lived.
The other notes have been gleaned from the Forces War Records website. It is in chronological order of being Gazetted or, in the case of the MC, appearing in the New Year's Honours List:-
MC - New Year's Honours List 1917
Belgium Croix de Guerre 1st Class - 12 July 1918
Bar to DSO - 23 July 1918
2nd Bar to DSO - 1 February 1919