War Diaries Talk

Russian decorations

  • LinsladeLad by LinsladeLad

    Currently working through the diary for 4th Division, 11th Brigade, 1st Bn Somerset Light Infantry. In August 1915 there is a reference to a number of men being awarded Russian decorations - specifically Medal of St. George and Cross of the Order of St. George. I recall coming across similar references in some other diaries.

    How did that work? I would assume that the recommendation for a Russian decoration would originate from an officer of the Imperial Russian Army - but where did they appear from? There's no reference to Russian military in any of the diaries I've worked on. So, how were these men identified as suitable recipients of these honours and who by?

    Regards, Peter

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  • marie.eklidvirginmedia.com by marie.eklidvirginmedia.com

    Russian decorations. Cannot answer your question but here is a link regarding Medal of St. George and Cross of St. George ww1. Link: http://www.gwpda.org/medals/russmedl/russia.html - It gives information regarding these awards.

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  • cyngast by cyngast moderator

    Peter, I've wondered the same thing when I've come across these awards. Also the Belgian and French ones.

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  • ral104 by ral104 moderator, scientist

    This link might be useful in answering these questions: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/GREATWAR/2002-02/1014073377

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  • David_Underdown by David_Underdown moderator

    Basically the British Army was given a "job lot" of foreign decorations to dish out as they wished. The perception is that they were often used as "consolation prizes" for those who missed out on British awards, or only got a lower level award eg you might get a mention in despatches plus a foreign award, rather than a military medal. They are registers of award exchanges (similar awards of British medals to other allied nations also took place) in The National Archives record series WO 388 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C14592 (I though these had been digitised from microfilm, but it seems not)

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  • LinsladeLad by LinsladeLad

    Thanks one and all - that's now perfectly clear.

    Regards Peter

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  • marie.eklidvirginmedia.com by marie.eklidvirginmedia.com

    Thanks for that link regarding the Russian Decorations., which answered a curious question.

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