GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
796
The extremely rare North Russia 1919 operations D.S.O., East Africa operations 1916 operations D.S.C. awarded to
Acting Squadron Leader N. G. Stewart-Dawson, Royal Air Force, late Royal Naval Air Service
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels; DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1914;
1914-15 STAR (Flt. S. Lt. N. G. Stewart-Dawson, R.N.A.S.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS, M.I.D. oakleaf (Major N. G.
Stewart-Dawson, R.A.F.); RUSSIA, ORDER OF ST. STANISLAUS, large-sized neck badge with swords, 63 x 58mm., silver-gilt and
enamel, arms enamelled both sides, unmarked; RUSSIA, ORDER OF ST. STANISLAUS, breast badge with swords, 39 x 39mm.,
bronze-gilt and enamel, unmarked, left-hand side inter-arm eagles and swords lacking as a result of their removal for
mounting purposes; RUSSIA, ORDER OF ST. VLADIMIR, 4th class breast badge with swords, 40 x 40mm., silver-gilt and enamel,
unmarked, with bow on riband, mounted court-style as worn where applicable, the whole displayed in an old and
impressive folding leather case, with glazed compartments containing his original D.S.O. warrant and two M.I.D.
certificates, D.S.O. obverse centre loose and somewhat recessed, some enamel damage to the larger Stanislaus piece
but generally good very fine (8) £12000-15000
D.S.O. London Gazette 18 November 1919:
‘He has successfully led raids with great success during the operation with Syren Force in North Russia from June to September 1919,
notably in the attack on the enemy at Koikori on 7th September. Flight Lieutenant Stewart-Dawson has displayed exceptionally good
qualities in leadership during these operations in the air, and equally distinguished services in ground-work organisation, where the
difficulties were many.’
D.S.C. London Gazette 15 June 1917:
‘In recognition of services with the East African Military Forces ... Flight Lieutenant Stewart-Dawson carried out a reconnaissance over
difficult country on 30 May 1916, when he was obliged to land in the bush.’
Norman Gordon Stewart-Dawson, who was born in December 1890 and completed his education at Heidelberg University, served in
the 5th Hussars as a 2nd Lieutenant from September 1914 to March 1915, prior to being appointed a Flight Sub. Lieutenant in the
Royal Naval Air Service in July of the latter year.
Having attended a navigation course at Victory, and R.N.A.S. Chingford, where he qualified for his Aviator’s Certificate in September
1915, Stewart-Dawson was assigned to the R.N.A.S. in East Africa. And during the course of his lengthy service in that theatre of war,
he was mentioned in despatches by General Smuts (London Gazette 6 February 1917), in addition to being awarded the D.S.C. - as
verified by his service record, he would appear later still to have been recommended for the M.C. by the C.-in-C. ‘For conspicuous
good work in reconnaissances for the Massanga Column, his flight work marked by both skill and daring’.
Judging by the official reports written by his C.O., Flight Commander Eric Nanson, R.N., the regular bombing and reconnaissance
patrols carried out by Stewart-Dawson and his fellow pilots throughout 1916 were indeed of a perilous nature, their aircraft often
coming under heavy fire. In his summary of events for the summer of 1916, Nanson stated:
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