Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria including the collection to Naval Artificers formed by JH Deacon

A Great War North Russia D.S.O. group of seven awarded to Engineer Commander C. Simpson, Royal Navy, for services as Senior Engineer of the Baltic Sea Submarine Flotilla

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Eng. Lt., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Eng. Lt. Cr., R.N.); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Russian Order of St. Anne, 3rd class breast badge with swords, gold and enamels, by Eduard, St Petersburg, mounted as worn, very fine and better (7) £1400-1600

D.S.O. London Gazette 12 December 1919: ‘For Distinguished services with the River Dvina Force in North Russia.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 November 1919 (North Russia).

Order of St. Anne, 3rd class with swords London Gazette 22 June 1917. Also awarded the Order of St. Stanislaus, 2nd class with swords London Gazette 20 July 1917, both awards for services with submarines in the Baltic Sea.

Cecil Simpson entered the Royal Navy as an Engineer Sub. Lieutenant on 1 August 1907; promoted Engineer Lieutenant 1 August 1909, and Engineer Lieutenant Commander 1 August 1917. He served throughout World War I as an Engineer Officer in the Submarine Service and is mentioned in numerous books for his enterprise and improvisation skills which allowed the British Submarine Flotillas to which he was attached to remain operational in the face of great difficulties. His services were particularly noted whilst he was with the Submarine Flotilla in the Baltic Sea, arriving there in the E1 on 18 December 1914. He served as the Senior Flotilla Engineer with the River Dvina Force in North Russia, arriving at Archangel on 5 February 1919, remaining up river during the whole of the Summer campaign and being present at all active operations. His work was rewarded with the award of the D.S.O. and recommendation for early and special promotion to Engineer Commander, which he received on 30 June 1922.

He retired as an Engineer Captain on 30 June 1933, being recalled for service in World War II and appointed Engineer Overseer, North of England District, in 1939. Next appointed to H.M.S. President for Miscellaneous & Special Services on 30 September 1941, and continued on the books of President when he was transferred to the Department of the Director of Armament Supply in 1943. In 1944 he is shown as attached to the Production of Naval Armament Stores Department, serving as Mine Progress Officer at the factory of Messrs. Siemens, at Surbiton, Surrey. His various services in the U.K. earned him entitlement to the Defence and War Medals. Upon release from active service in late 1945 he reverted to the Retired List. Commander Simpson died on 9 April 1963.