A Great War D.S.O. group of four to Second Lieutenant D.M.Greenshields, Highland Light Infantry,

Footnotes

D.S.O. London Gazette 26.6.1917.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After all company commanders had become casualties he took command of and reorganised his battalion, remaining in charge of the front line for two days. It was entirely due to his energy and cheerfulness that the position was so well maintained. He set a splendid example to all under him.

M.I.D. London Gazette 21.12.1917.

The lot comes with: Warrant for promotion to Second Lieutenant, statutes for the DSO, a silver cigarette box, c.1934, an Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders cap badge, metal identity bracelet, two copies of the Scots Pictorial, Welcome Home dinner menu, Officers record of services book and assorted paperwork relating to his war service, Telegram requesting his attendance at Buckingham Palace, various letterxs etc.

Second Lieutenant David Mackenzie Greenshields was born in Clarkston in 1891, he was educated at Mount Florida School and Queen's Park Higher Grade School. In civil life he was employed by Messrs J.E.Turner and Copland insurance brokers of 101 St.Vincent St. He joined the army in 1914 and served overseas from June 1915, receiving his commission in January 1917. He was disembodied from the Army on the 1st February 1919.

The following article was an exclusive from "The Post Sunday Special"

The Story of a Scottish "War Baby" (as the Tommies call junior officers) who handled a battalion with the skill of a veteran at a critical time is revealed in the latest list of honours. The D.S.O. has been awarded to the Second-Lieutenant D.M. Greenshields, of the Highland Light Infantry, for heroism thus described by one of his men:- Lieutenant Greenshields was only a "War Baby" but he wasn't long in cutting his teeth when occasion arose, and he soon let the enemy know that he had teeth. Our battalion had rotten luck. We went over early in the day, and at once walked into "some" shell fire, as well making the acquaintance of a nest of machine guns.
Rallied His Men. Every blessed officer went down with the exception of young Greenshields. Naturally the men didn't feel like carrying on, but Lieutenant Greenshields took command as though he had been use to it all his life. He rallied the battalion under very heavy enemy fire, and led us back to the first line trenches, where we had to sit down under the severest shelling I have been through. The shelling was varied in counter-attacks from the enemy, and the odds against the old "Hellies," as they call us, were great.
Lieutenant Greenshields was in the thick of it. He was always merry and bright. Never lost heart no matter how things were shaping. Indeed, he seemed to get more cheerful the blacker things looked. He thought of everything in advance, and saw that it was done. I will wager that in the two days we were put through our paces in the front line trenches Lieutenant Greenshields never rested a minute. He was always on his feet, giving orders and seeing that the enemy did not catch us napping. The position was a critical one. If the enemy had been able to succeed in their efforts to break our line at that point disaster might have followed for our boys on that front. That the enemy were kept at bay, and our battalion saved from disaster, was due to the skill with which our "War Baby" led us. He ought to have had the Victoria Cross.

Please see Lot 109 for the Military Cross to his brother.