206. An important and well documented group of 11 medals to Commander Basil Theodore Brewster, D.S.C., who fought in both World Wars, serving in two Royal Navies, who won his D.S.C. in 1919 during the Archangel campaign and two life-saving medals at Smyrna in 1920, during the Greco-Turkish War; together with his detailed account of his career hand-written in the 1970’s, and comprising: Distinguished Service Cross, Geo V [by Garrard & Co, London Hallmark 1919, maker’s mark SG - Sebastian Henry Garrard]; 1914-1915 Star (Mid. B. T. Brewster, R.N.R.); War and Victory Medals (S. Lt. B. T. Brewster, R.N.); 1939-1945 and Burma, with clasp PACIFIC, Stars; War Medal; Australia Service Medal, 1939-45; Greece: Hellenic War Cross, 3rd Class; Greece: Medal for Saving Life at Sea, silver, the reverse with official Greek inscription and ‘Basil T Brewster …’; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (Lt. Basil T. Brewster R.N. 10 April 1920), mounted court style, the last two separated, in glazed frame, by Spink & Son. The medals extremely fine, however lacquered for display. D.S.C. London Gazette, 11 November, 1919, “For services in Russia 1919 as second in command of a Naval Gun battery”. A typed “Extract from Official Dispatch” on HMS Bryony paper, refers, “Most exceptional coolness under very harassing fire, whist serving as Forward Observing Officer for his Battery. At all times a shining example to all ranks and ratings under his command ….”. The M-24 was involved in heavy fighting against the Bolsheviks, at Onega 1 August, 1919. Basil Theodore Brewster (31 December, 1896 - 29 December, 1981), went to sea in 1911, joining the White Star Line in January 1912. Called up to R.N. Reserve in September 1914. Served off German East Africa in HMS Laconia, and other service including time as Observer with R.N. Air Service. Royal Navy from Reserve May 1916. HMS Observer, HMS Erin. HMS Salmon. January 1919, HM Monitor, M24, “for service with Archangel Expeditionary Force” - to October 1919” [The M24 was “little more than a floating gun platform armed with a whacking great 7.5in gun before the bridge…” and was later sold for mercantile use in 1920 then sunk as a Blockship in the West Indies in 1936]. April-September, 1920, HMS Bryony, liaison with Greeks during the Greco-Turkish War. Following the collision between the SS Sparta and a ferry, B.T.B. organised the rescue, he himself saving the life of the 16 stone Captain of the ferry (for which he received his two lifesaving medals). 1921, short-lived tea planting career, emigrated to Australia in 1922, remained on ‘Emergency List’. Transferred to Australian Navy for 193944, till placed on retired list. May 1946, Promoted to Commander (Retired List) R.N. in recognition of “having served with distinction during the 1939/45 hostilities and carried £4,000-5,000 out the duties associated with such higher rank”. Sold together with:a) Naval Officer’s Sword. b) A hand-written journal of his naval and civilian career, together with a photocopy of a typed transcript and an addenda giving biographical details of many of those mentioned [The cataloguers understand that the journal is on microfiche at the Imperial War Museum and that extract are in the Liddle archives]. This is most interesting with regard to the Archangel Campaign and the evacuation. It records the mutiny by Russian troops (7 - 10 July); the rescue of two heavy guns from the river (end July); withdrawal of ships and mine clearance operations (10th August); becoming a part of the rearguard with the 45th Royal Fusiliers and acting as an observer directing artillery fire; the passage home on the depot ship, HMS Fox. Lighter moment recall fishing for salmon “for the pot”. c) Additional paperwork with early service details, etc, and including a few photographs. d) Commission certificate, Sub. Lieutenant, 1918. Framed and glazed. e) Greece: Hellenic War Cross. Certificate. 1920. Framed and glazed. f) Royal Humane Society, Certificate, 8 June, 1920, for Bronze medal, “Saved life from drowning”. Framed and glazed. g) Greece: Medal for Saving Life at Sea, Certificate, 1920. Framed and glazed. h) A copy letter from one Georges Andrikidhis, to the “Offices and men” of HMS “Bryony”, sending “respectful and humble thanks for you having rescued me from drowning …”. i) HMAS Moresby, presentation signed photograph, 1943. j) HMAS Latrobe, Ship’s Company, 1943, a crew photograph, signed by all on mount. Framed and glazed. k) WW I, Memorial Scroll, 2nd Lt. Hugh Percival Brewster (brother of B.T.B.), Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 49th Bn., who was killed 9 September, 1916 and buried at the Combles Communal Cemetery Extension, France; with a small Irish Brigade certificate relating. Both framed and glazed. l) A large world map on which B.T.B. has marked and dated all his main voyages. Framed and glazed.
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