Orders, Decorations and Medals

A North Russia D.S.M. group of five awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer G. B. Vincent, H.M. Monitor M-23

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (270827 C.E.R.A. 2Cl. “M.23” Dwina River 1918-19); 1914-15 Star Trio (270827 C.E.R.A. 2/C.E.R.A. 1, R.N.) the Victory Medal erased; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (270827 C.E.R.A. H.M.S. Attentive II) all cleaned bright, contact marks, nearly very fine (5) £450-550

D.S.M. London Gazette 12 December 1919: ‘The following awards have been approved for services in Russia.’

The following recommendation was submitted by Engineer Captain R. W. Skelton to S.N.O., White Sea: ‘I consider the manner in which the four Gunboats and two Monitors passed through the winter and operated successfully at the earliest possible date after the ice break, and which I submit was of high military importance, was highly creditable to their Engineroom departments, and to those I have mentioned in particular. In the case of the Chief Engineroom Artificers mentioned I do not consider these men are suitable for promotion to Warrant Rank. I therefore submit their names for a decoration or such other award as you consider their services merits:

Chief Engineroom Artificer George B. Vincent, Portsmouth, ON.270,827. This C.E.R.A., was in charge of machinery of M ‘23’ the whole time the ship served in North Russia, August 1918 to September 1919, and the fact that M ‘23’ has never failed to function is much to his credit. Looked after his machinery during the winter most efficiently and was the first vessel up River after Ice Run. In action at River Front during May 1919. Very strongly recommended.’