United Kingdom. A Military Cross & St. Stanislaus Order Group to Captain E.A. Dickson, Allied Expedition in Russia

A superb and fascinating collection of awards and accessories to Captain E.A. Dickson, King’s Liverpool Regiment, who saw combat during the First World War before being deployed to Russia as part of the Allied expeditionary force opposing Bolshevik forces during the Russian Civil War. It consists of:

1. A Military Cross, constructed of silver, consisting of an ornamental cross culminating in broad finals at the end of each arm, overlaid at the end of each arm by a raised royal crown with its cross exceeding the edge of the finial, bearing a central raised monogram of King George V, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop and suspension ring, in turn connecting to a ribbon stitched around a suspension bar and retaining a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 43.81 mm (w) x 48.08 mm (h), weighing 27.0 grams (inclusive of ribbon and suspension apparatuses), accompanied by its original presentation case, constructed of a hardshell frame with a textured faux purple leather exterior liner, the lid bearing a gilt Tudor crown surrounding by a gilt border, the interior with a white satin lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a slotted and depressed white velvet medal bed, closing with a functional metal spring catch with exterior stud release, unmarked, measuring 78 mm (w) x 130 mm (l) x 23 mm (h), demonstrating a moderate patina through the cross with minor material fatigue of the case, in near extremely fine condition; accompanied by a period C Form addressed to Dickson, congratulating him on his receipt of the Military Cross, measuring 13 cm (w) x 21 cm (h), demonstrating some tearing, a superb personalized document in very fine condition.

2. A Russian Order of St. Stanislaus, II Class Cross with Swords, constructed of Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with arms completing in ball finials and ribbed fans, the obverse of the arms finished in deep red enamels and joined through the quadrants by double-headed Imperial eagles executed in exceptional detail, bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted red monogram of St. Stanislaus of Szczepanów, situated within a circular Gold and enameled laurel leaf wreath pierced by crossed swords, the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by an identical hand-painted monogram, situated within a circular Gold ring, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a ribbed fan, in turn culminating in an integral ring retaining a suspension loop with a period original confectioned neck ribbon, the reverse stamped on the twelve o’clock arm with a royal warrant, on the six o’clock arm with a Cyrillic hallmark of “АК” for the noted jeweller Albert Keibel of St. Petersburg, and on the integral loop with a kokoshnik mark of “56” indicating 14K Gold composition, measuring 48.30 mm (w) x 52.25 mm (h), weighing 23.3 grams, minor flecking and surface scratching is visible to the enamels, the reverse medallion has loosened, and the ribbon drawstring have deteriorated and detached, a fine quality example in near extremely fine condition; concealed within a period replacement case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux maroon leather exterior liner, the interior with a white satin lid liner and intact hinge cover, the former maker marked “HILL BROS., STROUD”, measuring 105 mm (w) x 105 mm (l) x 28 mm (h), demonstrating minor material fatigue throughout, likely acquired locally by the owner as a replacement storage case, in very fine condition.

3. A presentation case for a Russian Order of St. Stanislaus, constructed of a light wooden frame with a faux red leather exterior liner, the lid bearing a gilt double-headed Imperial eagle, the interior with a padded white cotton blended lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a depressed and retractable cotton blended medal bed, situated above a hollow void for the accommodation of the ribbon, unmarked, measuring 74 mm (w) x 94 mm (l) x 30 mm (h), demonstrating minor material fatigue and some denting of the lid, a scarce case in very fine condition; accompanied by an original wax paper battalion order, issued at the headquarters of the 17th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment, dated 30th April 1919, confirming Dickson has received the Order of St. Stanislaus, II Class Cross with Swords, measuring 21 cm (w) x 33 cm (h), demonstrating minor material fatigue and discolouration, a fantastic primary document in near extremely fine condition.

4. A King’s Liverpool Regiment collar tab, constructed of bronze, the reverse with two lugs retaining a pin, maker marked “J.R. GAUNT, LONDON”, measuring 40 mm (w) x 40 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

5. A field compass, constructed of a non-magnetic metal casing with brass adornments, the exterior bearing an engraved owner’s name of “E.A. DICKSON, LIVERPOOL REGT.” and a maker’s mark of “DIXON & HEMPENSTALL, DUBLIN”, measuring 5.5 cm in diameter, accompanied by its original case, constructed of multiple pieces of brown leather and retaining a strap with a functional buckle, bearing embossed owner initials “E.A.D.” and an additional hand-etched name of “DIXON”, measuring 7 cm (w) x 9.5 cm (h), the compass face has been displaced and no longer functions, a personalized accessory in fair condition.

Footnote: Captain E.A. Dickson was serving with the 17th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment, when the unit assembled on 1 October 1918 at Mytchett Camp, Aldershort, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel J. P. Pitts. Subsequently entraining for Glasgow, the 17th departed on 11 October for Murmansk, Russia, with a Royal Navy destroyer escort. Arriving on 17 October, the unit joined the Syren portion of the North Russia Expeditionary Force and departed for Arkhangelsk. Dividing into small companies, the 17th provided garrison and security duty in northwestern Russia, including placing under arrest a unit which refused to proceed to the front. On 5 and 6 December, under Dickson’s command, “D” Company blunted a Bolshevik assault on Tarassova, detouring through a forest to capture a blockhouse, killing seven Bolsheviks partisans and capturing a further four, in addition to the seizure of weapons and materials. The success of the attack was limited by weather conditions, with heavy snow disabling the company’s Lewis guns. Further successful actions against Bolshevik fighters took place through the spring of 1919, when the Allied force was gradually withdrawn.