Pair: Major G. D. Oulster, Canadian Infantry, who was awarded the Russian Order of St Anne in 1918

British War Medal 1914-20 (Major G. D. Oulster.); Russia, Empire, Order of St Anne, 3rd Class breast badge by Keibel, St Petersburg, gold (56 zolotnik) and enamel, court stamp and maker’s mark to reverse, gold mark to suspension ring, with later loop suspension, the second with cracks to reverse centre, otherwise good very fine or better (2) £800-£1,000

Order of St Anne London Gazette 14 January 1918: ‘For distinguished service rendered during the course of the campaign.’

Gordon Dixon Oulster was born in Toronto, Ontario, on 12 September 1889, and was serving as an officer in the Non-Permanent Active Militia of Canada when he was mobilised for active service with the 100th Regiment (Winnipeg Grenadiers Canadian Infantry on 12 August 1914. He transferred to the 11th Battalion C.E.F. at Valcartier, and embarked for England on 3 October 1914. He served during the Great War initially with the Sub-Record Office at Shorncliffe, and was promoted temporary Captain on 1 May 1915, and temporary Major on 7 September 1916. Whilst serving in England he had various spells in hospital, suffering from broncho pneumonia, ptomaine poisoning, and hypertrophy tonsils, and returned to Canada permanently unfit on 12 May 1917. He was seconded to the Military Service Branch on 12 July 1917, and served with them and with the Imperial Munitions Board for the remainder of the war. For his services during the war his name was brought to the attention of the Secretary of State for War. Oulster was struck off the strength of the C.E.F. on General Demobilisation in June 1919, and died at Toronto on 30 September 1935. In response to an enquiry from his next of kin in January 1936 to the Awards Board, concerning entitlement to the 1914-15 Star and Victory Medal, it was stated that ‘Major Oulster having served in England and Canada only, qualified for the award of the British War Medal and not the Victory Medal; he was also awarded the Russian Order of St Anne, (3rd Class) which is the Red Enamel and Gold Cross to which you refer. For your information, the Victory Medal and 1914-15 Star which are evidently the two other medals to which you refer, are only awarded to those who served on the establishment of an authorized Unit in a theatre of War, which condition was not fulfilled by Major Oulster.’ Sold with a substantial quantity of official service documentation including a photographic image of the recipient.