Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte

An extremely rare North Russia operations M.M. awarded to Bosun C. H. Mitchell, Mercantile Marine Reserve, who was decorated for gallantry ashore at Rimskaya in August 1919

Military Medal, G.V.R. (MMR-978952 Bos’n C. H. Mitchell, M.M.R.), good very fine £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte.

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As far as is known, just 10 M.Ms were awarded to the Navy for Russia, six of them to members of the Mercantile Marine Reserve.

M.M. London Gazette 23 April 1920:

‘This Chief Petty Officer showed great gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on the village of Rimskaya on 29 August 1919. He was one of the first to enter the village, personally took twelve of the enemy prisoners and captured one machine-gun, which had been delaying the advance. He set a magnificent example of gallantry and coolness.’

Mitchell was serving on Lake Onega at the time of the above related deeds, being a member of the flotilla under Commander Curteis, D.S.O., R.N., a component of Maynard’s “Syren Force”. Comprising six 40-foot subchasers armed with 3-pounders, and six 35-foot motor boats armed with machine-guns, the flotilla fought a number of notable actions against the “Bolos” on the Lake in August 1919, as well as landing men in support of operations ashore.