Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas (Part I)

The rare Siberia 1919 ‘Kama River Flotilla’ M.S.M. group of three awarded to Petty Officer J. B. D Whyte, Armourer’s Crew, H.M.S. Suffolk

British War and Victory Medals (M.8666 J. D. B. Whyte. Ar. Cr. R.N.); Royal Navy Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (M8666 J. B. D. Whyte, Armr. Crew “Suffolk” Kama River May 1919) mounted for wear, pitted and worn, therefore good fine or better and rare (3) £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

View
Collection

Douglas-Morris Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, October 1996.

M.S.M. London Gazette 5 March 1920 ‘Honours for services in Siberia.’

The following details are taken from Admiralty recommendations for honours: ‘For valuable services rendered with the British Naval Forces on the River Kama. While on active service in Siberia with the British Naval forces operating on the Kama River, this man distinguished himself by the praiseworthy manner in which he carried out his duties throughout the expedition. This man has been on active service in Siberia since August 1918 having served with the British Naval Armoured Train on the Ufa Front.’
John Brigum David Whyte served aboard the barge named Suffolk on the Kama River. Smaller than the tug Kent, the Suffolk carried a complement of nine men, of all ranks, under Gunner C. W. Clarke, R.N. who was awarded the D.S.C. Of the honours awarded to the Kent and Suffolk, the latter ship received the greater share compared with her significantly smaller compliment. In addition to Clarke’s D.S.C. the ship was awarded the one D.S.M. and four of the eight M.S.M.’s. One D.S.O., two D.S.C.s, one D.S.M. and eight M.S.M.s were awarded to the Kent and Suffolk during the Kama River operations. All but the two D.S.C.s and Whyte’s M.S.M. were awards to the Royal Marines. The Kent and Suffolk were, respectively, a small ship and a barge, on which were mounted 12-pounders and 6-inch guns removed from the Naval Armoured Train which had operated on the Ufa front the previous year.

Sold with full research including a copy of Captain Jameson’s ‘Report on the proceedings of the British Naval Force acting with the Kama River Flotilla.’