Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte 998


The remarkable North Russia operations D.S.O. and Bar group of seven awarded to Commander P. H. Edwards, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, C.O. of the Anglo-Russian Naval Brigade in 1918 and, on attachment to the Army, of the Slavo-British Legion in 1919: he had earlier been wounded in Gallipoli and in France with Howe Battalion, R.N.D., and again as a member of a storming party in the Zeebrugge raid, by which time Admiral Keyes described him as a ‘one-eyed, bearded warrior ... who was spoiling to get in the ring again’ - when finally discharged to an 80% disability pension in 1920, it was noted that he had received no less than 53 wounds


DISTINGUISHED SERVICEORDER, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, silver-gilt and enamels; 1914-15 STAR (Lieut. P. H. Edwards, R.N.V.R.); BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS, M.I.D. oak leaf (Commr. P. H. Edwards, R.N.V.R.); FRANCE, CROIX DEGUERRE 1914 -17, with bronze star; RUSSIA,ORDER OF ST. VLADIMIR, 4th Class breast badge, with swords, in gold and enamels, by Keibel, St. Petersburg; RUSSIA, ORDER OF ST. ANNE, 2nd Class neck badge, with swords, in gold and enamels, by Edouard, St. Petersburg, 43mm., together with a companion set of miniature dress medals, generally good very fine (14)


£12000-15000 D.S.O. London Gazette 24 May 1919:


‘In recognition of his valuable services as Commanding Officer of the Allied Naval Brigade in North Russia between August 1918 and February 1919, when he did very good work under difficult circumstances.’ Bar to D.S.O. London Gazette 3 February 1920:


‘For distinguished service in connection with Military Operations in Archangel, North Russia.’ Mention in despatches London Gazettes 12 July 1916 (Gallipoli), 23 July 1918 (Zeebrugge) and 3 February 1920 (North Russia). The original recommendation for his part in the Zeebrugge raid - for a D.S.O. - states:


‘During the preparation this officer’s experience in the Naval Division in Gallipoli and France was most valuable in the training of the Naval storming party. He volunteered for service in Vindictive, and to accompany the force which assaulted the Mole, and by his spirit and the manner in which he carried out his duties set a fine example to his men. He was severely wounded and disabled just before Vindictive arrived alongside the Mole.’


Patrick Harrington Edwards was appointed a Sub. Lieutenant in the Royal naval Volunteer Reserve in October 1914, when he joined the Royal Naval Division at Crystal Palace. Posted to Howe Battalion late in the same month, he was duly embarked for the Dardanelles in February 1915 and quickly went into action in Gallipoli.


Gallipoli and France with the Royal Naval Division - multiple wounds and a “mention” www.dnw.co.uk


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