Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War ‘North West Russia’ M.C., Russian Order of St Vladimir group of five awarded to Lieutenant G. Wilson, Tank Corps, formerly Royal Highlanders

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed ‘2/Lt.Geo. Wilson, Tank Corps, N. W. Russia 1919’; 1914-15 Star (S-5423 Sjt., R. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.); Russia, Order of St Vladamir, 4th class, with swords, in gold and enamels; together with named enclosure letter for award of M.C., generally good very fine (5) £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Tank Corps formed by the late Bill Green.

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M.C. London Gazette 3 February 1920 ‘... in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in Finland and the Baltic States.’

The following general information regarding the Tank Corps in Russia is extracted from the regimental history of The Tank Corps: ‘A tank detachment of volunteers had been formed in July 1919 for service with General Yudenitch’s forces in North West Russia. It consisted of 22 officers and 26 other ranks, with six tanks under Lieutenant Colonel E. Hope-Carson.

Disembarking on August 5th at Reval in Estonia, it was thence moved to Narva. After Russian troops had been given training, three of the tanks were used in attempted advance on Petrograd in October. They were not backed up by infantry however, while the clamour for their help led to them being overused. In November the British training detachment returned home.

Another detachment went to North Russia in August 1919. It consisted of 9 officers and 60 other ranks, with six tanks, under Major J. N. Lewis Bryan. It was sent out to cover the withdrawal of the British forces from Archangel. When that was accomplished, the detachment returned to Wareham in October 1919.’