A Military Cross awarded to a Scottish footballer for his heroics on the battlefields of the First World War has fetched £1900 at auction and was bought by his former club Tottenham Hotspur.
The medal awarded to Captain James Ross, from Bonnyrigg in Midlothian, was bought by Spurs, the London club he went on to play for after the war.
Ross won the Military Cross for his “conspicuous gallantry” fighting with the North Staffordshire regiment on the Western Front in 1918.
After the war “Jimmy” played as a right back for Raith Rovers before transferring to Tottenham in 1923.
The Military Cross and five other medals presented to Ross for his services in the First and Second World Wars went under the hammer at Noonans’ sale of Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria in London.
Tottenham Hotspur, who this week won the Europa League final against Manchester United, paid a hammer price of £1900 — almost double the £1000 estimate — to secure the group won by their former player “for their collection”.
Ross was born in Bonnyrigg on 7 March 1895 and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, serving with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 May 1915.
He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the North Staffordshire Regiment on 26 March 1918 and was given the medal for conspicuous gallantry and good work during the fighting in the Forêt de Mormal on 4 November 1918.
His Military Cross citation in the London Gazette of 4 October 1919 read: “For conspicuous gallantry and good work during the fighting in the Forêt de Mormal on 4 November 1918.
“His company was held up and his company commander was wounded. He assumed command, and owing to his coolness and ability the advance was properly continued and two field guns were captured with personnel complete.”
Christopher Mellor-Hill, Head of Client Liaison at Noonans, said: “Captain Ross was 23 years old when he was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry during the final push to victory.
“A keen footballer, initially with Raith Rovers, Ross subsequently signed professional forms with the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, then playing in the top division of English football.
“He made seven appearances for them as a defender in the 1922-23 and 1923-24 seasons.”
Ross saw further service during the Second World War in the Cameronians.
His Military Cross went under the hammer along with Ross’ 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals; Defence Medal; and War Medal 1939-45.
He died at Lasswade, Midlothian, on 5 November 1962, aged 67.
Credit Saltire News
