Orders, Decorations and Medals

A North Russia D.S.M. awarded to Leading Seaman G. F. Tolliday, H.M.S. Step Dance

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (J.983. Ldg. Sea. “Step Dance” North Russia 1919) contact marks, therefore nearly very fine £350-400

D.S.M. London Gazette 17 October 1919: ‘The following awards have been approved for services in Russia.’

H.M.S. Step Dance, Commanded by Chief Gunner D. H. Shepherd, R.N., was one of four Funnel Class Minesweepers serving with the Altham Flotilla on the Dvina River in 1919, in support of the White Russian fight against the Bolshevik troops. The task of the Altham Flotilla, a mixture of Monitors, Minesweepers, Coastal Gunboats and support vessels, named after the Senior Naval Officer, River Dvina, Captain E. Altham C.B., R.N., was to provide mobile artillery support and the transportation of troops and equipment for the ‘Saddler Jackson Brigade’ as they moved up river.