The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

Five: Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (PO/13348 Sergt. E. C. White, R.M.L.I. Russian Allied Nl. Bde. Sep-Nov. 1918); 1914-15 Star Trio (PO.13348 Sgt. E. C. White, R.M.L.I.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., Admiral’s bust (PO/13348 E. C. White, Sergt. R.M.L.I.) nearly extremely fine (5)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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D.S.M. London Gazette 22 April 1919 ‘The following awards have been approved.’

Edward White was born on 10 December 1883 in the village of Burzledon near Southampton. Prior to enlisting in the Royal Marines he earned his living as a plate layer. He joined the Royal Marine Depot at Deal as a Private on 22 February 1904 aged 20 years. Posted to ‘B’ Company on 17 November 1904, he embarked aboard his first ship H.M.S. AMETHYST (July 1906). He disembarked to the Portsmouth Depot (March 1908) and was promoted to Corporal in ‘D’ Company on 14 December 1909. He next embarked aboard ROXBURGH (June 1910), CORNWALLIS (August 1910), EGMONT (August 1910), HERMIONE (August 1912), BULWARK (August 1913) and IRRESISTIBLE (July 1914), KING ALFRED (August 1914). He subsequently served aboard the Cruiser LEVIATHAN (November 1914), firstly in the 1st Cruiser Squadron Grand Fleet 1914-15, and secondly when the ship was attached to the North America & West Indies Squadron 1915-1918. Whilst in LEVIATHAN he was promoted to Sergeant on 16 July 1915.

He next embarked aboard GLORY III (May 1918) for service with the Royal Marine Field Force in North Russia. He transferred to M.25 (Monitor) in January 1919 and served with the Altham Flotilla on the Dvina River until June 1919 when he was posted to H.M.S. FOX for service with the North Russia Expeditionary Force. He returned to England and the Portsmouth Division in July 1919 and served on shore for 12 months until he embarked in BARHAM in August 1920 and whilst in this ship was promoted to Colour Sergeant on 12 August 1920. He was awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in September 1919 whilst serving in North Russia and was pensioned ashore on 12 June 1922 after 18 years service. He died on 9 July 1943 aged 60 years.

A full account of the Royal Marine Field Force in North Russia will be found in ‘Britain’s Sea Soldiers 1914-1919’ by H. E. Blumberg (extracts sold with the group). It is interesting to note that due to the intense cold of the Arctic winter, Sir Ernest Shackleton went to Murmansk to advise the force based on his experiences in the Antarctic. Before leaving Murmansk each man was issued with an Arctic kit designed by Shackleton consisting of four sets of Wolseley underclothing, one Burberry suit, one large woollen lined overcoat, 12 pairs of socks, one pair of Shackleton boots, one Arctic cap, special gloves, one pair of blizzard goggles, one pair of skis and sticks, and one Westinghouse rifle made in the U.S.A. The company was also equipped with small axes, sleighs as used in Shackleton’s expedition, sleeping bags, Stockholm tar, and specially prepared food.