Description
A Scarce and Interesting Great War M.C. and ‘South Russia’ M.i.D. group awarded to Colonel Robert Dickie, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, who was given a Mention in Despatches and the Order of St. Anne for services in South Russia during 1919-20. He served as Liaison Officer to the Greek Army in Asia Minor, and joined the Intelligence Corps between late 1920 and 1923 as Intelligence Officer in Constantinople. He took part in the action against Egyptian Army & Sudanese mutineers in Khartoum in 1924, and continued to serve until his retirement in 1932. He returned to service in 1940 during WW2 as a Staff Officer, for which he was appointed O.B.E.
O.B.E. (Mil); Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued,; British War and Victory Medals (M.I.D oak leaf), Capt. R. Dickie; Defence medal, unnamed as issued; 1939-45 War medal, unnamed as issued; Efficiency Decoration, Geo VI, reveres dated 1943; Russia, Order of St. Anne, Military Division, Second Class badge, in gold and enamels, by Eduard, St. Petersburg, 44mm, the last with some restoration and one sword hilt probably a replacement,
M.i.D.: London Gazette: 25 May 1917 (Haig’s Despatch);
M.C.: London Gazette: 1 January 1918 – ‘for distinguished service in the Field’;
M.i.D.: London Gazette: 16 July 1920 – ‘for valuable and distinguished services rendered with the British Military Mission in South Russia’;
O.B.E.: London Gazette: 2 June 1943 (Birthday Honours);
Robert Dickie was born 25th June 1884 , the son of one of Glasgow’s leading ministers, the Rev. David Dickie, and completed his education at Glasgow University before entering the legal profession.
Enlisting in the Cameron Highlanders in September 1914, he remained employed in the U.K. and was commissioned in the 8th Battalion in February 1915. Transferring to the 14th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as a Captain (and later Adjutant) in March 1916, he served out in France and Flanders from June of that year until the War’s end, being wounded and awarded the M.C., in addition to gaining a mention in despatches (London Gazette 25 May 1917 refers).
Appointed D.A.Q.M.G. to General Denikin’s mission to South Russia in October 1919, he was awarded another “mention” (London Gazette 16 July 1920 refers), and afterwards acted as a Liaison and Intelligence Officer with the Greek Army in Asia Minor from December 1920 until April 1921. Attached to Brigadier H. N. H. Williamson’s staff during his time in South Russia,
Dickie was among the last to evacuate the mission’s H.Q. at Novocherkassk – and receives frequent mentions in the former’s account of those operations, Farewell to the Don. (photo copies included in research.)
Having then served back in the U.K., Dickie went out to the Sudan with the 1st Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, in September 1924, where he took part in the action against Egyptian Army mutineers at Khartoum that November.
As Adjutant, he accompanied his C.O. to parley with the mutineers, negotiations seemingly going well until they requested that the Magazine be handed over to the care of the Argylls – at which point, ‘the Egyptians got out of hand and in a herd rushed for their arms.’
Having made a hasty exit, Adjutant and C.O. went on to participate in the regiment’s response to the emergency, namely three assaults mounted against the mutineers positions in the military hospital – the third attempt succeeded but at a loss of five men killed and eight wounded.
Following further appointments in Egypt, Dickie was placed on the Retired List in the rank of Major in February 1932, but was recalled on the renewal of hostilities and was awarded the O.B.E. for his services as a Staff Officer at the War Office (London Gazette 2 June 1943 refers), in addition to being awarded the Defence and War Medals and the Efficiency Decoration (awarded 1943/44, First appears as TD in April 1944 Army list). Granted the rank of Colonel on ceasing to be actively employed in August 1944,
Starts to appear as a “Representative member” Ross and Cromarty in 1944, and by 1946 has been appointed Deputy Lieutenant to the Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty.
He died on 21st July 1954.
Condition – GVF, mounted for display.
