DCM group to Lieut. David Suttie, Black Watch 1886-93, then Boer War, then Great War, A Company, 7 South African Infantry in German East Africa 1915-17, DCM for Actions in German East Africa, scarce for a South African as only 800 awarded WWI, see history
Distinguished Conduct Medal group to Lieutenant David Suttie, Black Watch from 1886-1893, then served in the Boer War 1900-01, then the Great War, he served with A Company, 7 South African Infantry in German East Africa from December 1915 until 22nd February 1917, he was awarded the DCM for Actions in German East Africa, London Gazette 26th May 1917, Mentioned in Despatches 1917, scarce DCM for a South African as only 800 awarded for WWI, see history, scarce group for German East Africa.
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Lieut. David Suttie, 7/South African Infantry
Medals :
DCM (GV )( 1451 CSM}/ QSA (3122 Sjt Black Watch) / British War Medal & Victory Medal
Overview :
David Suttie served with the Black Watch from 10th Dec 1886 until 11th March 1893 and again in the Boer War as 3122 Sjt, from 1st Feb 1900 until 16th Feb 1901 being awarded the Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Wittebergen, Cape Colony, Transvaal and SA 1901.
In the Great War he served with A company, 7th SAI in German East Africa from 1st Dec 1915 until 22nd Feb 1917.
Suttie attested for service in the South African forces on 11th Nov 1915 and was promoted S/Major on 23rd Nov 1915. He spent a month in hospital at Dodoma between 8.11.16 and 9.12.16 and was again promoted on 5th Jan 1917 to A.R.S.M.
He returned to South Africa on 22nd Feb 1917 and was appointed 2nd Lieut on 28th March 1917. He re-embarked for GEA on 18th June 1917 but was again hospitalised on 27th Sept 1917 being returned to South Africa on 21st Oct 1917 and discharged on 22nd Dec 1917.
On 23rd Aug 1918 he re-enlisted in the 1st SAI and was finally discharged on 10th Feb 1919.
When he enlisted in 1915 he gave his age as 46 which is consistent with his service with the Black Watch, however, when he re-enlisted in 1918 he claimed to only be 39! He was born in Forfarshire, Scotland but by the time of the Great War was living in Johannesburg, SA.
Organisation :
The 7th South Africa Infantry Regiment (commanded by Lt Col J.C. Freeth ) along with 5, 6 & 8 SAI formed the 2nd SA Infantry Brigade commanded by Brig-Gen P.S.Reeves. In May 1916 they were transferred to 3rd SA Infantry Bde when they joined Van Deventer's column.
7/SAI was largely recruited from the Transvaal and included a heavy representation of former members of 11 Infantry (Rand Light Infantry) and a few former members of the Transvaal Scottish.
When the regiment landed at Kilindini (Mombasa) in January 1916 they had a strength of 1,200 and by December that number had been reduced to under 100.