Hammer

£3,000

West Yorkshire Regiment WW1 / North Russia Expedition DSO, MC Russian Order of St.Anne Group of Six Medals.

A fine and scarce combination group awarded to Major John Cecil Blackburn DSO., MC., Order of St Anne, MID (x 3) West Yorkshire Regiment attached 46th Bn Royal Fusiliers who was awarded one of only nine DSO for operations at Archangel. Comprising:Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross “CAPT J.C. BLACKBURN 2/WEST YORKSHIRE 27.6.16” (privately engraved), 1914/15 Star, LIEUT W. YORK R”, British War Medal, Victory Medal, MID Oak Leaf, “MAJOR”. Russian Order of St Anne with Swords 3rd Class”. Mounted for display. .... The group is accompanied by original Warrant for the DSO and certificate for the Order of St.Anne. Also 3 MID certificates. Plus a quantity of research.

Distinguished Service Order London Gazette 3rd February 1920 (Archangel)Military Cross London Gazette 14th January 1916Russian Order of St. Anne September 1919 (Certificate).MID 30th November 1915, 2nd October 1919, 16th March 1919. Major John Cecil Blackburn DSO., MC. a pre war Officer born on 14th April 1891 at Rawalpindi, India. and was commissioned into the West Yorkshire Regiment in 1910, Lieutenant 1912 and a year later was attached to the Colonial Office for service with the Nigerian Regiment, a post he held at the outbreak of the Great War, earning his 1914/15 Star for operations in Cameroon. Returning to Europe and France he was placed on the Staff with the rank of Captain December 1915. Promoted to Major he at one time was appointed 2nd in Command of the 2nd Bn West Yorkshire Regiment. He volunteered for service in North Russia and was attached to the 46th Bn of the Royal Fusiliers. He retired with the rank of Major in July 1922 and resigned his commission as a reserve Officer in October 1925.