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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 336

(x) A Great War 1914-15 Star Trio awarded to Gunner W. R. Phillips, Royal Marine Artillery, who served with a small detachment on H.M.S. Marlborough, when the Russian Imperial family were evacuated in 1919 during the Russian Civil War

1914-15 Star (R.M.A. 14390. Gr. W. R. Phillips.); British War and Victory Medals (R.M.A. 14390 Gr W. R. Phillips.), very fine (3)

William Richard Philips was born 13 October 1896 in Leek, Staffordshire. He enlisted as a Private 17 September 1914 at Birmingham initially into Q Company but then as a Gunner 2nd Class 25 March 1915 (and as a full Gunner from 12 May 1915 passing in gunnery in sea service) into E Company, Royal Marine Artillery for the rest of his service. Served on Antrim 25 June 1915 to 19 August 1916 and later on Marlborough from 1 Jan 1917 to the 11 Nov 1919. Marlborough did not have much action up to the end of the war, it did however oversea the German Cessation of the end of the War. But 1919 was to be an eventful and historic year for Marlborough which was then sent to the Black Sea to help support the White Russian forces against the Bolsheviks rebels. In April 1919 she rescued Dowager Empress Feodorovna and other Romanov family members from Yalta. Grand Duke Nicholas and others were rescued including the wounded. The Marines offered direct support, protecting the evacuated, playing with the Royal children and even painting Easter eggs during Easter. Later she would provide artillery fire to support the White troops, this included bombarding Bolshevik positions in the village of Koi-Asan.
He had a later number RMA/3853/S at Eastney, still with E Company Royal Marine Artillery, this was short service 12 November 1919 and demobilised 25 December 1919 addressed given as Mills Croft, Cheadle, Staffordshire. Phillips died 20 October 1972 in Stoke on Trent.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate

Starting price
£50