Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.C. group of eight awarded to Chaplain to the Forces the Reverend R. J. Rider, Royal Army Chaplains’ Department, late Private, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who in October 1917 brought in 16 Prisoners of War

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (1041 Pt. R. J. Rider. R. War: R.); British War and Victory Medals (Rev. R. J. Rider.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial, reverse dated 1938, with 3 Additional Award Bars, these all G.VI.R. and all dated 1952, with integral top riband bar, gilding slightly rubbed on last, good very fine (8) £1200-1600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to Chaplains formed by Philip Mussell.

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M.C. London Gazette 22 June 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Hearing that some wounded men were lying out in the open, he obtained and led stretcher parties for four of these wounded men, and being unable to procure additional help, carried in the fifth man himself along an exposed road, during which period he was on several occasions compelled to take cover. His gallantry and coolness cannot be too highly praised.’

Robert John Rider attested for the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and served with the 14th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 9 November 1915. Commissioned temporary (Wesleyan) Chaplain to the Forces Fourth Class, Army Chaplains’ Department on 1 September 1916, he was awarded the Military Cross and subsequently served as Chaplain Third Class, West Lancashire Division, Territorial Army.

Sold together with a ‘Receipt for Prisoners of War’, named to Capt. Rider, Wesleyan Chaplain, Artillery 4th Division, for bringing in 16 Prisoners of War at 10:00 pm on 4 October 1917.