WW1 Military Cross unnamed as issued, 1914/15 Star named 2112 PTE W D GILLESPIE R SCOTS & British War & Victory Medals named CAPT W D GILLESPIE.
William Dunlop Gillespie born 15th Jun 1895 in Edinburgh was an insurance clerk when he enlisted into the 4th Royal Scots numbered 2112 on 6th Sep 1914. After training he landed in Gallipoli on 22nd May 1915 with the Machine Gun Section of the 1/4th Royal Scots in which he took part in the Gallipoli Peninsula landings between 4th Jun 1915 to 8th Jan 1916.
He was granted a commission and transferred back to the UK to undertake officer cadet training on 15th Jul 1916. He was commissioned 2nd Lt on 25th Sep 1916 with the 1/4th Royal Scots and was posted to France and subsequently was attached to the 12th Battalion. He went sick from Appendicitis on 30th Apr 1917 and then sent to the UK for his Appendix to be removed on 11th Apr 1917. In Aug 1917 he was fit and sent to the 4th Royal Scots reserves and shortly afterwards back to France with the 12th Royal Scots attached. On 1st Oct 1918 in operations at Ledegem, Belgium, this officer showed the greatest gallantry and ability in three times leading his company forward to the attack under heavy fire, although his right flank was absolutely exposed and all the other officers in the company had become casualties. He reorganised his men under most trying conditions and carried out the defence of the exposed flank with unwavering pluck and determination. For this he was awarded an MC LG 15th Feb 1919. He was survived the war and was demobbed on 29th Jun 1919. He never married and died on 6th Nov 1971 while living at the Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh.
