Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Russian Intervention ‘Archangel’ O.B.E. group of eight awarded to Major R. A. Swan, C.B.E., Essex Regiment, later Assistant Chief Warden, Civil Defence

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; 1914-15 Star (Capt: R. A. Swan, Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major R. A. Swan.); Defence Medal (R. A. Swan. Asst. Chief Warden. C.D.) contemporarily impressed naming; Coronation 1937; Civil Defence Long Service Medal, E.II.R., unnamed as issued; Russia, Empire, Order of St. Anne, Military Division, Third Class breast badge, with crossed swords, 36mm x 36mm, gold (56 zolotniki) and enamel, gold marks to suspension ring and with additional kokoshnik marks to hilts of swords, with bow riband, mounted court style as worn, gilding rubbed on first, therefore very fine or better (8) £1000-1400

C.B.E. London Gazette 8 June 1944.

O.B.E. London Gazette 3 February 1920:
‘In recognition of valuable service rendered in connection with Military Operations in Archangel, North Russia’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 3 February 1920.

Robert Arthur Swan was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Essex Regiment on 16 January 1915, and was posted to the 13th (West Ham) Battalion. He served during the Great War with the Essex Regiment, and subsequently during the Russian Intervention whilst attached to the 2nd/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, with the rank of Major, for which he was created an Officer of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire; Mentioned in Despatches; and awarded the Russian Order of St. Anne Third Class. He subsequently served during the Second World War with the Civil Defence, and was additionally created a Commander of the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire for his work as Legal Secretary to the Law Officers’ Department.

For the recipient’s miniature awards, see Lot 1100.