Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce ‘Baltic 1919 operations’ Naval M.S.M. awarded to Chief Petty Officer F. C. Barham, Royal Navy, for services in H.M.S. Dragon which participated in the operations for the relief of Riga, including the attack on Fort Dunamunde in October 1919

Royal Naval Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (187668. F. C. Barham C.P.O. “Dragon” Baltic 1919) nearly extremely fine £300-£400

M.S.M. London Gazette 8 March 1920: ‘Honours for services in the Baltic 1919.’

In the same gazette Captain F. A. Marten, R.N., C.M.G., C.V.O., is mentioned in despatches for ‘valuable services in command of H.M.S. Dragon in the operations for the relief of Riga. This vessel was part of a naval Force sent to assist the Latvian Army in operations against the German Iron Division, and the Russian Renegades under Bermondt Avalov. Dragon attacked Fort Dunamunde at the mouth of the river Dvina in October 1919, and was in action at Riga in November. The fleet returned to Britain by the end of the month, the expedition being a success.’

Frederick Charles Barham was born at East Ham, London, on 8 November 1880, and was a pawnbroker’s assistant before he joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 24 February 1896. During the Great War he served as Petty Officer and Acting Chief Petty Officer in H.M.S. Conquest from June 1915 to 13 June 1918, on which date he was slightly injured when Conquest was damaged by a mine explosion. He served in H.M.S. Dragon from 6 August 1918 to 20 February 1920, including the operations in the Baltic in 1919.