Russia, St. George Medal for Bravery, 4th Class, silver, rev. numbered, ‘No.534535’, nearly very fine £300-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Royal Naval Air Service and Armoured Car Squadrons.

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Awarded to Petty Officer Mechanic James Cox, Royal Naval Air Service.

James Cox, a Mechanic from 110 Barrington Road, Sefton Park, Liverpool, enlisted into the R.N.A.S. in November 1914, serving in No.2 and 14 Squadrons. On 1 December 1915 he embarked for Russia and service with the Armoured Car Squadrons. During August-October 1916 he was on detached service in Persia. On 23 August he was awarded the St. George Medal for Bravery, 4th Class (No.534535) for bravery under fire; being decorated by General Chernozouboff.

His citation reads, ‘On the 8th/21st Aug. 1916 during a reconnaissance in a Car with the Commanding Officers along a road leading to the enemy’s positions at Shpozanga, for the purpose of examining the roads as to their suitability for Armoured Cars, near the village of Sarakani the Car was fired on heavily by the Turkish Maxims and rifles. Heedless of the fire Cox and McMahon drove on with great courage and coolness enabling by this action the Car to withdraw from the danger zone, and in this saving the Officers in the Car’.

Continuing his service in Russia, during November-December 1916 he was on detached service in Dobrudsha, and in December was on detached service in Romania, based at Galatz. In May 1917 he left the Tiraspol Base for duty at Petrograd and in November 1917 returned to England. He was discharged on 4 March 1918. Sold with copied newspaper cutting with photograph and an account of his service, also with copied record of service and citation.