Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare 1914-15 Star and Victory Medal awarded to Private Arthur Faulkner, Royal Marine Light Infantry who was convicted for Mutiny in the Murmansk theatre of war, 1919

1914-15 Star (Po.17942 Pte., R.M.L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Po.17942 Pte., R.M.L.I.) nearly extremely fine (2)
£150-200

Arthur Faulkner was born in Hulme, Manchester on 10 February 1896. By occupation, a Labourer at a Bleach Works, he joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 5 October 1914, aged 18 years, 7 months. After serving at the Recruit Depot Deal as a Private, 5 October 1914-3 March 1915, he was transferred to the Portsmouth Division where he remained until 1 June 1915 when he boarded H.M.S. Southampton for service with the Grand Fleet seeing action with this ship at the battle of Jutland 31 May – 1 June, 1916. During the battle H.M.S. Southampton torpedoed and sank the German light cruiser S.M.S. Frauenlob. Then posted to the Portsmouth Division 12 April-17 July 1919 when he was taken on the strength of the 6th Battalion, Royal Marines with whom he saw active service with in the Murmansk theatre, North Russia August-October 1919.

It was whilst serving with the 6th Battalion that Faulkner was charged with others of, “When on active service disobeying a lawful command given by a superior Officer in that they refused to take up an advanced position at the 7 Verst post on the Svyatnavolok-Koikori Road on 30 August, 1919, when ordered to do so." He was Court-Martialled at Murmansk along with almost 100 other officers and men from the Battalion on different charges relating to several events and sentenced to 5 years penal servitude, later commuted to six months. 13 men convicted on another more serious charge than that of Faulkner were sentenced to Death, commuted to 5 years Penal Servitude as King George V had issued secret orders that no more executions were to be carried out in relation to offences committed in Russia.

After serving his sentence, Faulkner was discharged from the Royal Marines, “Services No Longer Required” on 3 April 1920, his address on discharge being his mothers residence at ‘132 Danzic St., Manchester, Lancashire’. His service record is marked, “Eligible for award of Prize Money War Gratuity & medals are not to be regarded as forfeited.” During his service before Russia, Faulkner’s character had always been rated “Very Good”. He had been recommended as a candidate for promotion in 1916 and had been awarded Good Conduct chevrons 1915-16-17-18.

With copied service papers.