The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 1)

Nine: Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (K.11598 S. Wragg, Sto. P.O. River Dwina 1918); 1914-15 Star Trio (Act. L. Sto./S.P.O. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., Admiral’s bust, 2nd issue with fixed suspension (S.P.O. H.M.S. Agamemnon) the earlier medals polished, therefore good fine and better (9)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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D.S.M. London Gazette 12 December 1918 “The following awards have been approved for services in the White Sea operations 1918. Mokyugshi Island, at the sea end of the channels leading to Archangel, was captured on 1 August 1918, after the batteries had been silenced by the Allied warships the town of Archangel was occupied on 2 August, the Bolshevik Forces being quickly and efficiently overcome and driven out of the vicinity. Following these operations a River Expeditionary Force was organised with the local craft, armed and manned by allied crews, and this expedition succeeded in cooperation with the military forces, in clearing the River Dwina and the River Vaga of hostile craft up to the time when allied ships had to be withdrawn to avoid the ice, several of the principal enemy vessels being destroyed.” Ten D.S.M.’s and two Bars are listed.

The following report and recommendation was extracted from Admiralty records: ‘I have the honour to submit the following report on the bombardment and landing of a Naval Detachment from H.M.S. ATTENTIVE to drive off an attack by Bolshevik Troops on the island of Bakaritsa.’

‘At 5am on 3 August your order was received to proceed to Bakaritsa to secure the place. The Island appearing peaceful, I took the ship up to the top of the Creek near the coaling wharfs, the Pilot assuring me there was plenty of water. We dropped anchor in very narrow, but sufficient, water and landed the Naval Detachment under Lieutenant Rendall, R.N., with Lieutenant Hutton, R.N.R., and Sub Lieutenant Dick, R.N., in charge of units. They took two Maxims and two Lewis Guns. Friendly armed Russians came down and said the Island of Bakaritsa was clear of Red Guards, but an advance was expected from Isarko Gorka. Our party entrained and advanced down the line.

From the anchorage a direct view right up the railway was obtainable and from aloft a party of 100-200 armed men could be seen advancing down the railway from Isarko Gorka Station as our Detachment disembarked from their train just before the railway bridge to South of Bakaritsa. It was an exceedingly difficult situation. They might have been friends coming in to meet us and, in any case, the village beyond was inhabited. On the other hand, our small Detachment was not nearly strong enough to meet a determined attack. The fact that our party were taking cover and appeared to be expecting an attack decided me to treat the approaching force as the enemy, so I opened fire with S.1, 4-inch.

At the first round the enemy (as they proved to be) scattered, made for the banks of the railway cutting or fell flat on the ground. The shot was well over. Then, braver spirits started to line the strong position to South of the Creek in front of our party. A 4-inch shell right on this bank put their right wing to flight and soon they were in full retreat. After a deliberate bombardment of the line and Isarko Gorka Station, our party moved on and secured the bridge, (which is really a railway embankment built up across the Creek). A wavering locomotive was brought back to our lines with a few more shots from the 4-inch, while French and Russian reinforcements moved up. The difference between the two was most marked. The Russian volunteers arrived first and spent a long time falling in ( and out) and getting a train together but did not start until the French had set out on foot, which they did the moment they landed. Our party advanced to the Isarko Gorka Station and established themselves and ascertained that the Bolshevik Troops had retired South and, for the time being at any rate, the line was secure.

The timely action made it possible for STEPHEN and ASTURIAN with the Expeditionary Force to come up and berth alongside the Quay at Bakaritsa. An hour's delay and the place would have been in the hands of the Red Guards and would most probably have been burnt before we could get it back. Later, in the evening, after disembarking from the transports, the Army relieved the Naval Detachment except the crews of our two Field Guns which had been railed up to Isarko Gorka Station. “Stoker Petty Officer Sydney Wragg, Official Number K.11598, did particularly good and courageous work in command of advanced patrols.” The Report is signed by Capain E. Altham R.N.