Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War ‘Archangel’ M.C., Croix de Guerre, Russian Order of St. Vladimir group of five awarded to Lieutenant Commander M. McLaren, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who is believed to have worked for MI6 during the Russian Civil War, and later in Egypt during the Second War

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in its Royal Mint case of issue; British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Commr. M. McLaren. R.N.V.R.); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre 1914 1917, with bronze palm; Russia, Empire; Order of St. Vladimir, 4th Class breast badge, in gold and enamel, the last four mounted for wear, very fine (5) £2,000-£2,400

M.C. London Gazette 11 January 1919.
(N. Russia) ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Prior to the Allied occupation of Archangel, he was instrumental in organising and preparing throughout North Russia the necessary groups and agents, without which reliable information would have been extremely difficult to obtain. He lived as a Russian subject and was in danger of arrest as a spy; he rendered extremely valuable information to the senior British military representative at Archangel. He took measures to destroy the defensive plans of the opposing forces, and facilitated the entrance of the Allies. During the revolution, which coincided with the occupation of Archangel, by his conduct and control Russian troops, was most instrumental in preventing opposition to the occupation of the town. During this period he was in the greatest danger.’

French Croix de Guerre, London Gazette 29 October 1918.

Malcolm McLaren from Crosby, Liverpool, was born on 30 April 1897. He was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and served during the Great War on the Western Front with the Royal Naval Division. He saw further service at Archangel during the Russian Civil War, and is referred to in ‘Six: A History of Britain's Intelligence Service’ (2010) by Michael Smith ‘McLaren was another Briton who had worked in Russia’s oilfields, although he is said to have previously been a sea captain and wore gold earrings ‘that gave him the look of a pirate’... He was further commissioned during the Second War into the Intelligence Corps, Egypt Section, without pay and allowances, and was discharged with the honorary rank of Major in June 1946, on account of disability. He died in Liverpool on 2 June 1954.

Sold with copied gazette entries, and a photograph of the recipient in uniform.