Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Russian Civil War, Baltic Sea 1919 D.S.O. group of five awarded to Engineer Commander Henry Bumstead McGhie, Royal Navy, for a surface action with a Bolshevik battleship and destroyer in which H.M.S. Walker was twice hit by enemy shellfire

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, complete with brooch bar, slight enamel damage to wreath; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Asst. Engr. H.B. McGhie, R.N., H.M.S. Forte); 1914-15 Star (Eng. Lt. Cr. H. B. McGhie, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Eng. Lt. Cr. H. B. McGhie, R.N.) good very fine (5) £3000-3500

D.S.O. London Gazette 8 March 1920. ‘Honours for Services in the Baltic’. ‘Eng. Cdr. Henry Bumstead McGhie, R.N. For distinguished services in maintaining the engine-room department of H.M.S. “Walker” in a high state of efficiency.’

Recommendation reads, ‘For meritorious service in maintaining the engine room department of H.M.S. Walker in a high state of efficiency under most difficult circumstances. This officer was present on the occasion of Walkers action with superior enemy forces on the 31st May: Lieut. Commander Abbay speaks highly of this officers conduct on this occasion and mentions that full speed was obtained in a considerably short time.’ [Recommended by Capt. G. W. M. Campbell, C.M.G., H.M.S. Walker, 1st Destroyer Flotilla.

The official report by Rear Admiral Walter Cowan (H.M.S. Cleopatra) Commanding First Light Cruiser Squadron, dated 3 June 1919, states, ‘On the 31st. May at 0800 lying off Sesker .….. a Bolshevik destroyer was sighted coming West with a dreadnought battleship and two other small craft behind the mine fields. The destroyer was engaged by “Walker” at about 8,000 yards and chased eastwards, the battleship opening a heavy and well controlled fire at the same time. On the first report I weighed and steamed east at 25 knots, a Bolshevik aeroplane appearing overhead and dropping bombs among my force as we advanced, but it flew off eastwards on being fired at. The destroyer fell back on the battleship, which manoeuvred on a North West and South Easterly course behind the mine fields, and kept up a heavy and well-disciplined fire on “Walker” as she fell back to meet me, the Fort having a Kite Balloon up and firing also. I stood up and down the edge of the mine fields but the Bolshevik Force showed no intention of coming on, and retired eastwards after a few salvoes had been fired. Submarine “L.16” reports having fired two torpedoes at the destroyer at a range of 4,000 yards and submarine. “E.27” one at a range of 4,000 – 6,000 yards. “Walker” was hit twice but no appreciable damage was done – there was one casualty only – Edward Ignacious Quinn, Able Seaman, O.N. J. 51000.’

Henry Bumstead McGhie was born in Cannock, Staffordshire, on 9 November 1880. Appointed an Assistant Engineer, 1 December 1900 and advanced to Engineer Sub-Lieutenant on 1 December 1901; Engineer Lieutenant on 1 December 1907; and Engineer Lieutenant-Commander on 1 January 1919. McGhie served throughout the Great War on destroyers - on Fury, 1914-15, seeing service in the Dardanelles; then with the 10th Destroyer Flotilla, 1915-17, on Laurel, seeing service at the battle of Jutland. Posted to the new destroyer, Walker as she was being built in 1917, he saw active service on her against the Russian Bolshevik forces in the Baltic Sea during 1919, and was awarded the D.S.O. for ensuring the destroyer maintained vital speed when in action against a Russian battleship and her consort. Engineer Commander McGhie was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 18 January 1920.

With copied service paper and other research.