Orders, Decorations and Medals

A remarkable M.B.E. and ‘North Russia’ O.B.E. Medal group of fourteen awarded to Major F. J. Coplin, Royal Army Service Corps, General Rawlinson’s chief clerk and confidential secretary in France from September 1914, in Germany 1919, North Russia 1919, and in India 1920 until the General’s death in 1927

The Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) 1st type; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (20039 2/Cpl., A.S.C.); 1914 Star with clasp (S-20039 Sjt., A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (S-20039 T.W.O.Cl.1., A.S.C.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24 (S-772 S-S-Maj., R.A.S.C.); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (S-772 S. Sjt., R.A.S.C.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (S-20039 S. Sjt., A.S.C.); Medal of the Order of the British Empire (Military), unnamed as issued; French Medaille d’Honneur, silver-gilt with swords, these twelve mounted as worn in the order listed, together with Defence and War Medals, generally good very fine and a unique group (14) £800-1000

M.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1925.
O.B.E. Medal London Gazette 23 January 1920 (H.Q., North Russia) - a unique award for North Russia.
M.S.M. London Gazette 11 November 1916.
M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916, 4 January 1917, and 25 May 1918.
French Medaille d’Honneur, recommendation dated 3 September 1918: ‘For continuous good work in the General Staff office of the IV Corps and the Fourth Army since November 1914. This warrant officer has shown great powers of organisation and tact, and his zeal and energy have materially assisted to the success of the Staff work in the battles of LOOS, the SOMME 1917, and in front of AMIENS in 1918. His services throughout have fully merited special reward.’

Frederick James Coplin was born on 21 October 1884, and served in the ranks for 13 years 75 days, and as a Warrant Officer for 13 years 155 days. He was commissioned Lieutenant & Quarter-Master on 9 July 1929, and became Captain on 9 July 1937, retired. He was recalled in 1939 with the rank of Major, R.A.S.C.

Coplin served as General Rawlinson’s chief clerk and confidential secretary throughout the war, and afterwards in North Russia and India. He was awarded the only O.B.E. Medal for North Russia and went to India in 1920 with General Rawlinson, Commander-in-Chief, as his personal assistant.

The lot is sold with some original documentation, including original recommendation for the French Medal of Honnour, Statement of Services, and correspondence from Rawlinson (from North Russia and India) recommending Coplin to a Commission: ‘This N.C.O. came with me to France in October 1914, and has been with me ever since. During the past seven years, in addition to my confidential work, he has discharged the following duties:- General Staff Clerk, H.Q. IV Corps; Supt. Clerk, General Staff, H.Q. Fourth Army; Confidential Clerk, Supreme War Council; Supt. Clerk, General Staff, British Army on the Rhine; Supt. Clerk, G.H.Q. North Russia; Supt. Clerk, A.M.S. Office, Aldershot Command; Personal Assistant to H.E. C-inC in India, (present).’

‘I have, previous to this, submitted to the War Office two applications for this N.C.O’s appointment to a Head Clerkship, with the rank of Lieutenant & Quartermaster, in view of his exceptionally good services during the war, (1) at the conclusion of the Armistice, and (2) on my return from North Russia in October 1919, but nothing further has been heard of these recommendations. I selected this N.C.O. to accompany me to India, and he is now employed as my personal assistant. Etc. etc.’