Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Baltic’ operations D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Petty Officer Arthur Newbury, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (213724 A. Newbury, P.O. “Walker” Baltic 1919); Africa General Service 1902-56,1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (A.B. H.M.S. Philomel); 1914-15 Star (P.O.1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (P.O. R.N.); Messina Earthquake 1908, silver; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (P.O. H.M.S. Vernon) very fine (7) £1000-1200

D.S.M. London Gazette 8 March 1920: ‘For services in the Baltic, 1919.’

The report by Rear-Admiral Walter Cowan, dated 3rd June 1919, describes an action between the cruisers and destroyers under his command and four Bolshevic ships on 31st May 1919. Amongst those recommended for awards or mentions is ‘Petty Officer A. Newbury, Walker, Torpedo Coxswain during actions of 31st May and 4th June.’

Newbury is confirmed as one of the small detachment, comprising just 3 officers and 33 men, that landed from H.M.S. Philomel during the rescue operations in the aftermath of the earthquake at Messina in December 1908.