Frederick Dibblee's medals

East and West Africa, with clasp "Benin 1897"

1914-15 Star ("Pip")

British War Medal ("Squeak")

Victory Medal ("Wilfred")

Imperial order of St Stanislas, 2nd class (with swords)

Notes:

Imperial order of St Stanislas, 2nd class (with swords): At the beginning of June 1917, the first anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, the Provisional Government of Russia conferred decorations on about 280 British officers "for distinguished service rendered in the Battle of Jutland". The lists were printed in the London Gazette and the King "gave unrestricted permission to the officers named to wear the Decorations in question". At the time, Russia was technically an Empire with a vacancy (as this was after the February revolution) and the Provisional Government still conferred Imperial decorations. Russia was declared a Republic on 14 Sept (all dates Western calendar), the orders were retitled and in this case, the Eagles lost their crowns (which you can see in the medal above). After the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks abolished all these orders. "With swords" indicates a Military Honour.

Pip, Squeak and Wilfred: The 1914-15 Star (service in any theatre of war), British War Medal (28 days service for Navy and Marines) and Victory Medal (service in any Theatre of War) were so widely awarded that they got the nickname of "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred". This was a cartoon in the Daily Mirror from 1919 to 1956. Pip was a dog, Squeak a penguin and Wilfred a rabbit.

© Jo Edkins 2023 - Return to Early Dibblee History index