Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte

The Russian intervention M.B.E., A.M. group of three awarded to Junior Officer S. J. Haines, Mercantile Marine Reserve, the Albert Medal being a unique award for this conflict

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, hallmarks for London 1917; Albert Medal, 2nd Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, the reverse engraved, ‘Awarded by His Majesty to Samuel James Haines, Junior Officer, M.M.R., in Recognition of His Gallantry at a Fire in Archangel Harbour, 17th June 1919’; Russian Order of St. Stanislaus, 3rd class breast badge, with swords, by Albert Keibel, St. Petersburg, 41 by 40mm., gold and enamel, double-headed eagle and manufacturer’s mark on reverse, part ‘56’ gold mark on eyelet, the second with heavy contact wear and occasional dents to reverse, otherwise generally very fine (3) £4000-5000

M.B.E. London Gazette 8 March 1920:
‘For valuable services in the Naval Transport Service, North Russia.’

A.M. London Gazette 12 December 1919:
‘The King has been graciously pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal upon Mr. Samuel James Haines, Junior Officer, M.M.R., attached to the Up-River Transport Service.

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte.

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On the 17 June last a fire occurred in a Russian motor launch in the Harbour of Archangel, and a Russian tug and picket boat from an American man-of-war proceeded to render assistance, Mr. Haines going in the tug.

Just before the tug reached the launch an explosion took place on board the latter. Immediately the tug got alongside, the crew of the launch abandoned her.

Mr. Haines at once went on board the launch and endeavoured to extinguish the fire, but being unable to do so, he ordered the other boats to lay off, while he went down into the magazine and brought up on deck a quantity of ammunition and a large quantity of gasoline and some rifles. Then calling the picket boat alongside, he passed these stores aboard her.

While Mr. Haines was alone on board the launch, the cabin abaft the engine room and before the magazine took fire. The fire was ultimately got under control, but not before the launch had been gutted.

Mr. Haines displayed great gallantry in rendering the service, for had the fire reched the magazine an explosion would undoubtedly have occurred, and he would have had no chance of saving his life.’

Samuel James Haines, who was born in London in December 1884, was also awarded the Russian Order of St. Stanislaus, 3rd class, with swords, for the same incident, by a Russian Naval communique dated 9 October 1919; sold with a modern watercolour depicting the scene in Archangel Harour on 17 June 1919.