Orders, Decorations and Medals

British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. R. C. Dyer) edge bruising, contact marks, nearly very fine £80-100

Royce Coleman Dyer was born in Sutton, Quebec, on 1 February 1889. A Butcher by occupation, he attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 21 September 1914. He was posted to the 8th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment).
Serving in France/Flanders, he served in the 2nd Battle of Ypres and was slightly wounded by gas. For his bravery under fire during the fighting around Couurcelette in 1916, he was awarded the Military Medal and Bar.

Dyer was made Sergeant when he joined the allied force going to Russia in June 1918. For his bravery in action he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (London Gazette 14 January 1919). His citation reads-

‘For conspicuous gallantry and resource during the landing at Onega and clearing of the town. He set a very fine example to his men throughout the action, and, from a very exposed position, successfully engaged an enemy machine-gun at close range with his Lewis gun. He showed marked courage in taking up new positions with his gun under heavy machine-gun and cross rifle fire, and by his skilful use of it rendered very valuable service’.

Soon after he was commissioned and placed in command of a battalion raised from Russian Bolshevik prisoners - the ‘Dyer Battalion’ of the Slavo-British Legion. He was later awarded the Russian Order of St. George 4th Class. Captain Dyer died of Disease on 30 December 1918 and was buried in the Archangel Allied Cemetery. With some copied research including a photocopied photograph.