The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection

A Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Colonel R. Dickie, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, who was afterwards awarded a “mention” and the Order of St. Anne for services in South Russia in 1919-20

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, with its case of issue; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. R. Dickie); Russia, Order of St. Anne, breast badge, with swords, by Eduard, St. Petersburg, 44 x 44mm., gold and enamel, manufacturer’s name on reverse, ‘56’ gold mark on eyelet, the last with signs of restoration to sword fitments and elsewhere, and hairline cracks to enamel, otherwise generally good very fine (4) £1600-1800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1918.

Robert Dickie was born in June 1884 , the son of one of Glasgow’s leading ministers, the Rev. David Dickie, and completed his education at Glasgow University before entering the legal profession.

Enlisting in the Cameron Highlanders in September 1914, he remained employed in the U.K. and was commissioned in the 8th Battalion in February 1915. Transferring to the 14th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as a Captain (and later Adjutant) in March 1916, he served out in France and Flanders from June of that year until the War’s end, being wounded and awarded the M.C., in addition to gaining a mention in despatches (London Gazette 25 May 1917 refers).

Appointed D.A.Q.M.G. to General Denikin’s mission to South Russia in October 1919, he was awarded another “mention” (London Gazette 16 July 1920 refers), and afterwards acted as a Liaison and Intelligence Officer with the Greek Army in Asia Minor from December 1920 until April 1921. Attached to Brigadier H. N. H. Williamson’s staff during his time in South Russia, Dickie was among the last to evacuate the mission’s H.Q. at Novocherkassk - and receives frequent mentions in the former’s account of those operations, Farewell to the Don.

Having then served back in the U.K., Dickie went out to the Sudan with the 1st Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, in September 1924, where he took part in the action against Egyptian Army mutineers at Khartoum that November.

As Adjutant, he accompanied his C.O. to parley with the mutineers, negotiations seemingly going well until they requested that the Magazine be handed over to the care of the Argylls - at which point, ‘the Egyptians got out of hand and in a herd rushed for their arms.’

Having made a hasty exit, Adjutant and C.O. went on to participate in the regiment’s response to the emergency, namely three assaults mounted against the mutineers positions in the military hospital - the third attempt succeeded but at a loss of five men killed and eight wounded.

Following further appointments in Egypt, Dickie was placed on the Retired List in the rank of Major in February 1932, but was recalled on the renewal of hostilities and was awarded the O.B.E. for his services as a Staff Officer at the War Office (London Gazette 2 June 1943 refers), in addition to being awarded the Defence and War Medals and the Efficiency Decoration. Granted the rank of Colonel on ceasing to be actively employed in August 1944, he died in July 1954.

Sold with copied service record.