Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘North Russia 1919’ M.B.E. group of three awarded to Lieutenant R. W. Fenning, Royal Engineers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type, hallmarked London 1919; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. R. W. Fenning.) extremely fine (3) £300-£400

M.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 3 June 1919: ‘For valuable services rendered in connection with Military Operations in North Russia (Murmansk Command).’

Robert William Pfenninger was born in Zurich, Switzerland, on 3 September 1882. He was educated at Whitgift Grammar School, Croydon, and at Battersea Polytechnic day school, and in 1907 graduated with 3rd Class Honours at London University, Faculty of Engineering. He became a British subject and in May 1909 adopted the surname of Fenning in place of Pfenninger. He enlisted into the 28th London Regiment (Artist’s Rifles) on 31 May 1915, and was appointed to a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st London Divisional Engineers on 15 January 1916. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 July 1917, and first served overseas in North Russia from 20 September 1918, with the North Russian Expeditionary Force, attached to 492 Field Company, Royal Engineers. He arrived home at Aberdeen from Murmansk on 24 June 1919, and was disembodied on 19 July 1919. Sold with copied record of service, Medal Index Card and other research.