Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare ‘Murmansk 1919’ D.S.O. group of five awarded to Major W. G. F. Sheffield, Middlesex Regiment, Special Reserve and Machine Gun Corps, Officer Commanding 253rd Company M.G.C., wounded in action in 1914 and thrice rewarded for his services in North Russia, 1919

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, complete with brooch bar; 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt., Midd’x. R.) gilded; British War and Victory Medals, small M.I.D. oak leaf (Major) ‘Victory’ gilded; Defence Medal, unnamed, nearly extremely fine (8) £2500-3000

D.S.O. London Gazette 3 February 1920. ‘ Capt. (T./Maj.), Midd’x. Regt., Spec. Res. and M.G.C.’ ‘... for distinguished service in connection with Military Operations in Murmansk, North Russia, dated 11th November, 1919’

M.I.D. London Gazette 3 February 1920. ‘T./Maj., D.S.O., 5th Bn., Midd’x. Regt., Spec. Res. and M.G.C.’ ‘The names of the undermentioned have been brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War by General H. S. Lord Rawlinson, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Allied Forces, North Russia, for valuable and distinguished services rendered in connection with Operations in North Russia during the period 1st March to 12th October 1919. Dated 11th November 1919’

Granted permission by the King to accept and wear the Imperial Russian Order of St. Anne, 2nd Class, in War Office ‘Confidential List’, July 1921.

William George Freese Sheffield was born in Slough in 1874, the only son of Lieutenant-Colonel William Robert Sheffield, Madras Staff Corps. He was educated at Tonbridge School, 1888-91 and Cambridge University as a Mining Engineer.

A recipient of a Queen’s India Cadetship whilst at Sandhurst. The Cadetships were awarded, from 1858, by the Secretary of State for India, with Royal approval, to the deserving sons of fathers who had served the East India Company or the Crown in India - preference was given to those whose fathers had seen long and distinguished service or who had been killed in action. Queen’s India Cadets, provided they passed the required examinations, had the right of appointment to the Indian Army.

Moving to South Africa, Sheffield is believed to have earned the British South Africa Company Medal and served with the 1st Rhodesia Regiment as a Trooper in ‘E’ Squadron earning the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps for Relief of Mafeking, Transvaal and Rhodesia; and also likely the King’s South Africa Medal with two clasps.

Returning to the U.K., Sheffield was granted a commission in the Militia as 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion Middlesex Regiment on 20 February 1909, and was promoted to Lieutenant in February 1912. He was mobilised with the 4th Battalion on 5 August 1914 and three days later was advanced to Captain.

Embarking for service with the B.E.F. on 14 October 1914, he was wounded in action on 27 December 1914 - taking a gunshot wound to the left foot. On 13 June 1916 Sheffield was selected for transfer to the Machine Gun Corps, with whom he was promoted to Temporary Major in November 1917. During 23 June 1918-1 October 1919 he commanded the 253rd Company M.G.C., as part of the 237th Infantry Brigade, Murmansk Command. Thrice awarded for his services in North Russia - being mentioned in despatches, awarded the D.S.O. and the Order of St. Anne, 2nd Class. The D.S.O. is a unique award to the M.G.C. for the Murmansk Command.

After service in Russia, Sheffield was demobilised on 16 November 1919 and relinquished his commission on 1 June 1923, being granted the rank of Major.

With Silver War Badge, erased and renumbered, ‘130332’; unofficial County of Middlesex Jubilee Medal 1935, white metal; and Middlesex Regiment cap badge. Together with copied service papers and gazette extracts; with other research.