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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 314

The rare named Imperial Russian Medal for Zeal awarded to Trumpeter Rutland, The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons), who served aboard Tsar Nicholas' ship on his Royal Visit in 1909

Russia, Imperial, Medal for Zeal (Tptr Rutland), 30mm, silver, very fine, on St George riband

C. W. Rutland enlisted into the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards as a Boy, aged a mere 12 years, under the service number 5329. In August 1909, Rutland had the privilege of escorting Tsar Nicholas II and his wife the Tsarina Alexandra on their trip to Britain and he was awarded this silver Medal for Zeal for his troubles. The Emperor and his family arrived at the Isle of Wight on the Russian Imperial Yacht Standart in order to attend the annual Cowes Regatta as guests of King Edward VII. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards played a key role in the Tsar's visit as the Russian Emperor was the Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment and was appointed as such when he married Queen Victoria's granddaughter, Alexandra Feodorovna, in 1894. Thus upon his return to England fifteen years later, the Royal Scots Greys protected the Tsar and entertained him, with the Band, Rutland in their number, playing for him on the Russian Imperial Yacht.

The London Evening Standard recalls the various 'lavish presents' the Tsar bestowed on the men, and notes the awarding of the Medals of Zeal:

'The Czar did not forget the eight men who for the crew of the Victoria and Albert's chief pinnace, who had previously had his Majesty on board at Reval. Each man has received a medal with the Czar's head on the obverse, attached to a red and white ribbon, silver medals going to the five seamen and two stokers and a gold medal to the Chief.'

Rutland discharged having been found physically unfit for further service in July 1913 having completed a total of 12 years.

Sold together with copied research. With thanks to Stuart Kennedy, Curator of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum, and Stephen Wood for providing access to the Regimental Archives in order to confirm this award.

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Estimate
£80 to £120

Starting price
£60