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Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 444

An interesting 'Russian Intervention' group of seven awarded to 2nd Lieutenant F. T. Swann, 28th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment; having escaped from St. Petersburg after the February Revolution, Swann assisted White Russian émigrés and was awarded the Order of St. Stanislaus for his work with the Russian Government Committee

British War and Victory Medals 1914-19 (2. Lieut. F. T. Swann.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Russia, Imperial, Order of St. Stanislaus, 3rd Class breast badge with Swords, gold and enamel, hallmarks for Dmitry Osipov, St. Peterburg, 1916-17, the last missing bow, otherwise very fine, generally good very fine or better, with Great War leather dog tag stating '768078 Swann F. T., Artists C.E.' (7)

Frederick Thomas Swann was born at St. Petersburg, Russia in July 1899. His family lived in that city as his father was Manager of the Russo-American India Rubber Company. Educated in Russia at St. Catherine's College, he developed a perfect knowledge of German, Russian and French languages.

Swann travelled to England in the wake of the February Revolution, hoping to join the British Army. Arriving in September 1917, he moved into 57 Surbiton Road, Kingston upon Thames. He applied directly to the War Office. Though he passed the Medical Examination Grade A.1., he was refused as being under-age. He instead offered his services to the fledgling 'Russian Government Committee' based at India House, London. One of several White Russian émigré organisations, this committee gathered intelligence on the Bolshevik regime and plotted its downfall. Swann may have been involved in planning the Allied intervention of 1918-22. When finally old enough to enlist in March 1918, a member of the committee wrote him a glowing reference, praising his 'good character' and recommending him 'without hesitation'.

On 29 April, Swann joined the Officer Training Corps of the 2/28th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment, better known as The Artists Rifles. Initially a Sergeant, on 3 August 1919 he was promoted to temporary 2nd Lieutenant on the General List (London Gazette, 9 August 1919). His war service came to an end on 5 August 1920, though he retained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant (London Gazette, 5 August 1920). A Confidential List confirms that on 16 July 1921, in gratitude for his work at the Russian Government Committee, Swann was awarded the Order of St. Stanislaus, 3rd Class, with Swords and Bow.

From 12 April 1921 to 1 January 1926, Swann was employed as a civilian interpreter with the Commission of Control in Berlin. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he joined the Intelligence Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant; sold with copied research and MIC.

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Sold for
£800