Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An extremely rare ‘Russian Intervention’ D.S.O., ‘Australasian Royal Visit’ M.V.O., Great War ‘Convoy Section’ O.B.E. group of six awarded to Paymaster-Commander J. M. Hodge, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 4th Class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse officially numbered ‘286’; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919, with post-1937 riband; 1914-15 Star (Payr. J. M. Hodge. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Payr. Lt. Cr. J. M. Hodge. R.N.) mounted court-style, good very fine and better (6) £2,400-£2,800

D.S.O. London Gazette 8 March 1920:
‘For distinguished services in connection with Naval Transport at Archangel and on the Dwina River.’

The Recommendation states: ‘Paymaster-Commander Hodge shares the credit of the Up River Transport with Captain Ohlson. On 10 August 1919 he took over Captain Ohlson’s duties at Archangel, as it then became necessary for me to send an Officer of high standing, tact, and ability Up River to prepare for and conduct the withdrawal Down River, and I had no other officer with sufficient experience and organising power available to relieve Captain Ohlson for service Up River. Paymaster-Commander Hodge carried out these duties at Archangel with remarkable efficiency, by intelligent anticipation and keeping Captain Ohlson supplied with all and more that all his requirements, as also for the three other river tributaries to the North Dwina, namely Pinega, Emotoa, and Vaga, on all of which operations of withdrawal had to take place, In addition to his valuable services in this connection, Paymaster-Commander Hodge as my Secretary since February 1919 has invariably been of the greatest assistance to me. His advice has always been sound and I have freely made use of his knowledge and experience in dealing with both men and material.’

M.V.O. IV Class London Gazette 8 July 1927:
‘On the occasion of the visit of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of York to New Zealand and Australia.’

O.B.E. London Gazette 27 May 1919:
‘For valuable services in connection with the Convoy System.’

The Recommendation states: ‘Paymaster Lieutenant-Commander Hodge served from October 1917 to November 1917 in charge of the Mediterranean sub-section on the Convoy Section, for which he was specially brought home from the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean system, including through Mediterranean Convoys, has been very successful in its results. This officer brought to bear much ingenuity and ability, and a very thorough grasp in building up the system.’

John Mackey Hodge was born in Plymouth in March 1881 and entered the Royal Navy as a n Assistant Clerk in January 1899. Promoted to Assistant-Paymaster in March 1902 and to Paymaster in August 1913, he served during the Great War initially in the Admiralty’s Convoy Section in the Mediterranean, before proceeding to Archangel with the Russian Intervention Force. For his services he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and received both awards from H.M. the King at an investiture at Buckingham Palace in March 1920. His Admiralty Service Record also confirms that he was awarded the Russian Order of St. Anne, Second Class, with Swords.

Hodge was promoted Paymaster-Commander in 1919, and subsequently took up a Staff appointment as a French Interpreter to the Naval Section at the British Embassy in Paris. In 1927 he accompanied their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) in H.M.S. Renown on their Royal Tour of New Zealand and Australia, for which service he was awarded the Royal Victorian Order, Fourth Class.

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