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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 650

A rare North Russia 1919 D.C.M. pair awarded to Company Sergeant-Major W. Rutter, 6th Battalion, Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment), for his gallantry deep in the snow at Zemstovo on 25 March 1919

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (13021 C.S.Mjr. W. Rutter. 6/York: R.); Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes Great War Service Medal, silver, the reverse engraved 'Presented to Bro. Wm. Rutter DCM by the Robert Hudson Lge1725 For Services Rendered', good very fine (2)

D.C.M. London Gazette 15 July 1919, the original citation states:

'During the attack on Zemstovo on 25th March 1919, and the subsequent operations, he displayed marked gallantry and determination. When the flank on the village was held up by machine-gun fire, he forced his way through deep snow and heavy riflefire to the outskirts of the village, acting as guide to one platoon of his company, which endeavoured to carry the village by a frontal attack.

When his platoon was held up by very heavy machine-gun fire and deep snow, and ordered to withdraw, he supervised the evacuation of all the wounded. He set a fine example to all.'

William Rutter was a miner from Houghton Le Springs, Durham and served in France with the Green Howards from July 1915, suffering a gunshot wound to the thigh in July 1916. He would subsequently transfer to North Russia in 1919 and share in the campaign, winning his fine D.C.M. in the process. Damien Wright's Churchill's Secret War with Lenin gives more detail.

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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£600