Canada, Commonwealth. A DSO Group to Lt. Col.C.B. Russell, Commanding Officer of the 4th Army Troops Company

A First War DSO Medal Bar consisting of seven decorations: 

1. A Distinguished Service Decoration, in silver, with white enamel arms, the obverse medallion featuring the crowned monogram GRV on a red enamel field encircled in a green enamel wreath, the reverse featuring a large central crown on a red field, encircled a green enamelled wreath, full size, large enamel chip in the center of the obverse medallion, reverse medallion loose, light wear to white enamel arms, lovely patina on the silver, in very fine condition. 
2. 1914-1918 War Medal, in silver, rim impressed LT. COL.C.B. RUSSELL., full size, notable contact marks and scratches on obverse and reverse, in very fine condition. 
3. A First War Victory Medal with MID leaf on ribbon, in bronze gilt, rim impressed LT. COL. C.B. RUSSELL., full size, worn on ribbon with MID device, medal presents light scratches and an edge knock at 9 o’clock, gilt intact, in extremely fine condition. 
4. A Canadian Voluntary Service Medal, in silver, full size, areas of dark patina, remains in very fine condition. 
5. A 1939-1945 War Medal, in silver, full size, areas of dark patina, light wear, discolouration on ribbon, in very fine condition. 
6. King George V Jubilee Medal, in silver, full size, dark patina specifically on lower half of reverse, small scratches, in very fine condition
7. 19137 King George VI Coronation Medal, in silver, full size, contact marks and oxidation, in very fine condition. 

The medal bar is court mounted for display, measuring 235mm (w) x 110 mm (h - from the base of the DSO), weighs 265.0 grams in totality, in overall extremely fine condition. 

Accompanied by: A large printed image of the Royal Canadian Engineers, Halifax 1928, a sepia toned print on a brown matte with the printed names along the base, adhered to a dense foam base, covered in a plastic film for protection, measures 55 cm (w) x 23.5 cm (h), Russell present in the second row near the middle, light wear and small stains on matte, in very fine condition. A portrait of Russell, in black and white and adhered dense card, measures 10.5 cm (w) x 14.5 cm (h), pin holes in each corner, in very fine condition. A large printed photograph of the Officers, Warrant Officers & Senior N.C.Os Royal Canadian Engineers, 1911-12, a sepia toned print on a brown matte, adhered to a dense foam board, covered in plastic film for protection, printed by Climo, Halifax Canada, measures 52 cm (w) x 40.5 cm (h), Russell present in the center- right with white background, light wear, in very fine condition. 

Footnote: Cecil Bell Russell was born in Pembroke, Ontario on August 26, 1886. He served as a Captain with the Royal Canadian Engineers prior to the first war. Russell enlisted for the war in November, 1915 at the age of 29. His wife, Lou Winnifred Russell, was residing in Halifax. 

He was taken on strength in March, 1916, as a Major. He later served as the O.C of 4th Army Troops Company and embarked to France in January of 1917. At the end of January 1918, Russell was admitted to Queen Alexandra Military Hospital for appendicitis. Russell was awarded the DSO in June 1918. “Awarded on the occasion of His Majesty’s Birthday; 1918. No Citation” He was gazetted on June 3 1918, supplement 30716, page 6461 for the notice of becoming a D.S.O recipient. On February 20, 1919 he was granted 14 days leave to the UK while serving with the 1st Battalion, C.E. In March, he was struck off strength and posted to the 5th Battalion, C.E. Ultimately, Russell sailed home to Canada May 21, 1919. 

As per the 1961 Yearbook of the Royal Military College of Canada: “Brigadier C.B Russell, D.S.O died in Ottawa on October 3, 1957. He was born on August 20, 1886 and was educated at R.M.C. He entered the College in 1904 and graduated with a diploma in 1907. He joined the R.C.E on June 17, 1908. 

He went overseas with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in November, 1915. He was O.C. of the 4th Army Troops Company in 1916. He served in France with the Canadian Engineers and in 1918 commanded the Engineers 6th Battalion with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. After his return to Canada he was given staff appointments in Military Districts 11, 2, 6, 1, and 3, and acquired an extensive knowledge of the military resources of Canada. In 1937 he was promoted to Colonel and was appointed D.O.C of M.D.3. In 1938 he was promoted to temporary Brigadier and became D.O.C of M.D.12. He retired in 1941.”