Ww1 Imperial Russian Pilot Group W Military Cross

Impressive WW1 Cased British Military Cross lot issued to an Imperial Russian Pilot. WWI era British battlefield valor award - the Military Cross. Known as a "third level gallantry award," the Military Cross is equivalent to the Distinguished service Cross or the Silver Star. This one comes in a fitted leatherette case with a push button hasp on the bottom and an embossed crown on the lid. 2) Transmittal Award Document that reads: General Headquarters, Northern Russia Expeditionary Force. 5th February, 1919. By virtue of the authority which has been extended to me by His Britannic Majesty's Government, I hereby have the honour of conferring upon you :- 2nd. Lieut VLADIMER ZERNIN, Russian Allied Naval Brigade. the "MILITARY CROSS" in recognition of your gallant conduct. The following is the official account of. your conduct for which the award has been made :- "From 28th December 1913 to 2nd January 1919, North of TURCHASOVA. Continual good work and great coolness in leading attacks with troops who were under severe fire for the first time" which has thus been conferred upon you. I heartily congratulate you upon the honour E. Ironside, Major General. Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Russia Exped Force. 3) Imperial Russian Pilot License issued to 2nd Lieutenant Zernin Vladimir Vladshiirovich issued on September 22, 1917. The booklet also shows that he was born in Petrograd in 1891. 3) Russian Passport & US Naturalization Papers 4) Letter that reads: From Commander P. H. Edwards D.S.O., Croix de Guerre R. N. V. R. I hereby certify that in July 1918 I was in command of the Russian Allied Naval Brigade which was a force raised amongst the American, English and French sailors to assist the forces on land of the North Russian Expeditionary Corps with power to enlist Russian officers and men for ser-vice with such force. Amongst other Russian Naval Officers who ob-tained commissions in this force was Mr. Vladimir Zernin and he behaved with great gallantry throughout the whole of the period of operations, chiefly in the advance on the Onega River when with a very small number of men under his command he succeeded in carrying out very excellent work, receiving from the hands of General Ironside the Military Cross as a reward for his work and his promotion from Sub-Lieutenant to Lieutenant (equivalent to the Military rank of Captain. In 1919 the Russian Allied Naval Brigade was reinforced and the essentially Naval portion of the Brigade was transferred to the British Naval River Force. Zernin accordingly left my command and I heard did very He made himself popular with good work with such force. officers and men and understood how to exercise tact in I could thoroughly obtaining the necessary discipline. recommend him for a commission in any force which requires the services of a gallant and zealous officer. P.H. Edwards Commander. R.N.V.R. 5) Statement of Service that reads: Royal Naval Barracks, Smolny, Archangel. Date.. 20 September 1919. 6) STATEMENT OF SERVICES. Lieutenant Vladimir Zernin., M.C., R.E.F. The services of the above with the British Forces in North Russia have been as follows:-2nd September 18 Enlisted in Russian Allied Naval Brigade as Cadet. 17th September 18) Promoted Second Lieutenant. October 18) - November 18) - At ONEGA Front. 2nd December 18)- Promoted Lieutenant. to 24th January 19 Returned from ONEGA Front. 1st February 19 Transferred to H.M.S. "M.25" ( British River Expeditionary Force) as Lieutenant, R.E.F. 5th February 19 - Awarded Military Cross. 15th April 1919 Appointed as Captain of Paddle Minesweeper "NASLIEDNIK" 11th May 1919 Proceeded up River. 1st June 1919 Transferred to books of H.M.S. "FOX II" (Royal Naval Barracks, Archangel). 12th September 19 - Returned from Front, down river. 27th September 19 - Discharged for further service in Baltic. Signed H.R. Bureau Jr. Major, R.M.L.I. Commanding Officer. 7) Document that reads: Richard Hyde, M.V.O., Commodore, B., Senior British Naval Officer at ARCHANGEL Vladimir Vladimirovich ZERNIN You are hereby appointed as Lieutenant In The Allied River Expeditionary Forces. Your appointment will take effect from the 1st. February 1919.Commander under my hand at Archangel this Second day of May 1919 8) Letter that reads : Abbotsford Wis., set. 14, 1920. To the American Consul Havre, France, Dear Sir: This letter concerns one- VLADIMER ZERNIN -a Russian who I believe is stationed on the icebreaker Olga at Cherbourg France. Mr.Zernin is desirous of coming to America (U.S.) and has written to me for a reference. While serving as an officer in the 339th Infantry, I formed an acquaintance with Mr.Zernin, who was at that time fighting the Bolosheviki in the Archangel district being at that time an officer in a Russo-British organization called the Russian Allied Haval Brigade. I have only the lighost opinion of him, both as a soldier and as a man. There is no question but what he would make a good loyal citizen, and that is the kind we need, here