The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

Royal Navy Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., Admiral’s bust (SS6386 A. Wade, A.B. “Orlionok” Caspian 8 Aug. 1919) contact marks, nearly very fine

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

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London Gazette 22 January 1920 ‘The following awards have been approved for services in the Caspian Sea.’

Early in April 1919 the two ex-Tsarist ships ORLIONOK and BIBIABAT were converted to Seaplane Carriers as part of the British Naval involvement in Russian affairs in the Caspian Sea. On 8 August 1919 the two ships attacked the town of Ashurada in North Persia where they captured the revolutionary gunboat CHASOVAY and the two merchant ships VAN and ESS. In addition they took some 200 prisoners, several barques and arms and ammunition. The Captain of the ORLIONOK Lieut W. B. Chilton, D.S.C., R.N.R., was awarded a Bar to his D.S.C. ‘for distinguished services in Command of Seaplane Carriers in the Caspian Sea’. Two ratings, Able Seaman Albert Wade of the ORLIONOK and Leading Seaman Alfred Edward Harris of the BIBIABAT were each awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.