Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare 1919 North Russia Relief Force M.C. group of six awarded to Major J. Vallance, Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 45th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, for gallantry and devotion to duty dressing and attending wounded under fire during the ‘Dvina Offensive’ attack on the Dvina River on 10 August 1919, the largest battle fought by British troops against the Soviet Red Army in the Russian Civil War, and the action for which Corporal A. Sullivan of the same battalion was awarded the Victoria Cross

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. J. Vallance. R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Major J. Vallance.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, edge bruise to BWM, generally very fine or better (6) £1,200-£1,600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals for the Russian Intervention 1918-20.

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M.C. London Gazette 21 January 1920:
‘For great gallantry and devotion to duty in dressing and attending wounded under fire. As each objective was gained, he followed up immediately dressing and bringing in all wounded on his way. In one village, the Bolsheviks landed a party of sailors, and it was only through his personal disregard of danger and his untiring efforts that the wounded were removed to a place of safety. His devotion to duty in the care of the wounded was magnificent throughout.’

Vallance is mentioned in Churchill’s Secret War with Lenin by Damien Wright.

Sold with the recipient’s original Commission Document, appointing him a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and dated 26 November 1918; two original letters regarding the award of the M.C., one being the original award document signed by General Ironside, and the other being the original battalion award document signed by Lieutenant-Colonel Davies, Commanding 45th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, North Russia Relief Force; and a photograph of the recipient.