Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Mesopotamian theatre’ D.S.O. group of six awarded to Brigadier-General R. N. Dick [C.M.G.], Royal Sussex Regiment, who was M.I.D. for services whilst attached to the King’s African Rifles in Somaliland 1908-10, and served during the Great War on the General Staff of the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, during which time he was M.I.D. on 7 separate occasions

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top-riband bar; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (Captain R. N. Dick R. Sussex Regt.); 1914-15 Star (Capt. R. N. Dick. R. Suss. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaves (Brig. Gen. R. N. Dick.); Defence Medal, generally good very fine, A.G.S. scarce to regiment (6) £2,000-£2,600

C.M.G. London Gazette 3 March 1919.

D.S.O. London Gazette 7 February 1918.

Robert Nicholas Dick was born in August 1879, the son of Sir James N. Dick, K.C.B., R.N. He was educated at St. Paul’s School and R.M.C. Sandhurst. Dick was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Sussex Regiment in February 1899, and advanced to Lieutenant in December of the same year. He served as Adjutant, September 1903 - September 1906, and advanced to Captain in October 1907.

Dick was employed with the King’s African Rifles in East Africa, March 1908 - July 1911 (M.I.D. London Gazette 17 June 1910). After a posting to the Staff College at Camberley, Dick initially served during the Great War as a Temporary Brigade Major, India, November 1914 - June 1915. He served as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General of the Indian Expeditionary Force “D”, 3 June - 25 June 1915, and advanced to Major in September 1915. Dick served as a Staff Officer in the Mesopotamian theatre of war, 3 June 1916 - 31 October 1918 (Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, 5th Class; Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel; Seven times M.I.D. London Gazette 5 April 1916, 10 May 1916, 14 November 1916, 15 August 1917, 12 March 1918, 27 August 1918 and 21 February 1919).

Dick served as Brigadier-General, General Staff, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, 5 September 1917 - 6 April 1919. After the war he took up a Staff posting at the War Office, and advanced to Colonel in June 1920. Dick was appointed as Brigadier, Officer Commanding, Eastern Command in February 1925. He commanded the Kent and Sussex Territorial Infantry Brigade, 1925-1928, and served as a General Staff Officer, 1st Grade, Western Command, from 1928. Dick served with the Home Guard during the Second War, and resided at Dee House, Hawkhurst, Kent. Brigadier-General Dick died in August 1967.

For medal awarded to the recipient’s father, see Lot 1107.