The very rare Siberian Kama River Flotilla Operations Meritorious Service Medal group awarded to Petty Officer J.B.D. Whyte, Armourer’s Crew, H.M.S. Suffolk who would see service aboard the barge ‘Suffolk’ as part of a 9 man crew during the Kama River operations of April-June 1919, six of the crew including Whyte subsequently being decorated. Suffolk mounted a 6 inch gun taken from a British armoured train which had operated on the Ufa Front the previous year, and this would allow her to target Red Army artillery positions and troops on the bank of the river as well as Bolshevik shipping during the two months in which she sailed along the Kama River. Whyte would be awarded the Royal Navy Meritorious Service Medal in the London Gazette of 5th March 1920 for his services in Siberia, the recommendation reading:‘For valuable services rendered with the British Naval Forces on the River Kama. While on active service in Siberia with the British Naval forces operating on the Kama River, this man distinguished himself by the praiseworthy manner in which he carried out his duties throughout the expedition. This man has been on active service in Siberia since August 1918 having served with the British Naval Armoured Train on the Ufa Front.’. He would later be demobilised ashore on 15th March 1923.
Group of 3: British War Medal and Victory Medal; (M.8666 J.D.B. WHYTE. AR.CR. R.N.) Royal Navy Meritorious Service Medal, GVR, (M.8666 J.B.D. WHYTE. ARMR. CREW. “SUFFOLK” KAMA RIVER MAY 1919.) loose-mounted for wear.
Condition: loose-mounted for wear, pitted and with wear, Good Fine
John Brigum David Whyte was born in Cardiff on 1st September 1893 and joined the Royal Navy for 12 years service on 11th September 1914, and would see service ashore until 14th January 1915 when he would move to H.M.S. Eclipse which saw service in the western English Channel. He would return ashore on 7th March 1915 for a period of two months, until posted to H.M.S. Suffolk on 7th May 1915, remaining aboard until 25th August 1916 when he would return ashore, remaining there until 17th May 1917 when he would transfer to Suffolk once more, serving aboard until 31st December 1918, when he would transfer to Kent, where he served from 1st January 1919 until 23rd June 1919, time aboard Carlisle followed from 23rd June until 2nd September 1919, and would be awarded the Royal Navy Meritorious Service Medal in the London Gazette of 5th March 1920 for his services in Siberia with the Kama River Flotilla. The recommendation reading:
‘For valuable services rendered with the British Naval Forces on the River Kama. While on active service in Siberia with the British Naval forces operating on the Kama River, this man distinguished himself by the praiseworthy manner in which he carried out his duties throughout the expedition. This man has been on active service in Siberia since August 1918 having served with the British Naval Armoured Train on the Ufa Front.’
John Brigum David Whyte served aboard the barge named Suffolk on the Kama River. Smaller than the tug Kent, the Suffolk carried a complement of nine men, of all ranks, under Gunner C. W. Clarke, R.N. who was awarded the D.S.C. Of the honours awarded to the Kent and Suffolk, the latter ship received the greater share compared with her significantly smaller compliment. In addition to Clarke’s D.S.C. the ship was awarded the one D.S.M. and four of the eight M.S.M.’s. One D.S.O., two D.S.C.s, one D.S.M. and eight M.S.M.s were awarded to the Kent and Suffolk during the Kama River operations.
All but the two D.S.C.s and Whyte’s M.S.M. were awards to the Royal Marines. The Kent and Suffolk were, respectively, a small ship and a barge, on which were mounted 12-pounders and 6-inch guns removed from the Naval Armoured Train which had operated on the Ufa front the previous year.
A detailed account of the British Naval Force acting with the Kama River Flotilla was given by Captain Jameson, which stated that a British Naval Force consisting of four Officers and thirty other ranks arrived at Perm on the 29th April 1919 and proceeded to the Motavileka Factory where was situated the British Naval Armoured Train which operated on the Ufa Front the previous year. It was decided to take the guns – four 12 pounders and one 6 inch out of the Armoured Train and mount them for service with the Kama River Flotilla.
This Flotilla under the command of Rear-Admiral Smirnoff, Minister of Marine to the Omsk Government was to consist of three fighting divisions which were as far as possible organised and prepared during the winter, the 1st and 3rd Divisions at Perm and the 2nd Division at Ufa. Every endeavour was being made to complete the force so that it should be ready for service as soon as the ice disappeared and navigation opened. The ice on the River Kama broke on the 27th April and was rapidly flowing away, and the river rising considerably as the result of the thaw was flooding over the banks in many places.
On the 30th April, the ship and the barge in which the British Guns were to be mounted were towed down to the Motavileka Factory and the work of mounting the guns, generally equipping the living quarters etc and mounting Armoured plating about the gun platforms, wheel house and W/T cabinet was commenced.
The Ship mounting the 12 pounders was named ‘Kent’ and the barge with the 6 inch ‘Suffolk’ both being detailed to form part of the 3rd Division under the command of Captain Fierdosiff. After 6 days all the important parts of the construction were completed and ‘Kent’ was ready for her gun trials.
On the 7th May the British Naval Mission came from Perm and ‘Kent’ carried out her gun trials. After firing 28 rounds a careful examination of the platforms, decks etc. was made and very little further alteration was found to be necessary.
On the 14th May, the Suffolk having proceeded downstream would by overflown by two Bolshevik seaplanes at Kotlovka, and flying in an easterly direction one of them passed over the ‘Suffolk’ at that time near Elabouga. After making an unsuccessful attempt to bomb ‘Suffolk’ this seaplane turned back under heavy shrapnel fire from the Flotilla and passed over to the Bolshevik lines.
The second seaplane alighted on the river, and taxied down until it was met by one of our ships with machine gun fire when she stopped her engine and surrendered. Shortly afterwards the first seaplane returned and also surrendered, neither machine being damaged.
In the early part of the same afternoon – 14th May – the Bolshevik flotilla made it’s first appearance. West of the point where the Viatka River runs into the Kama, opened fire on the guardship ‘Greziaschi’ of the 3rd Division, the latter replying with hir 3inch guns.
It was soon apparent that the Reds’ guns easily outranged those of our ships and the ‘Greziaschi’ – could do little though she remained – perhaps a little unwisely – in the same position. In a short time a shell penetrated her Boiler room and though she just managed to make the North bank the damage sustained put the ship completely out of action. The same night a salvage party managed to take off her guns, ammunition etc.
Meanwhile the flotilla, now consisting of six ships proceeded down stream from Kotlovka and engaged the enemy fleet. No, satisfactory results were attained on account of the high ground commanding the junction of the rivers being strongly fortified with enemy artillery, and, as mentioned above the longer range of the enemy guns, in many cases having more than double the range of ours. Also, the Reds were able to maintain their position which was chosen as regards light and background whereas we must have appeared an ideal target.
‘Kent’ following the flagship of the 3rd Division, closed towards the enemy, and having no rangefinders, efforts were made to determine the range by observation, but we could not cross the target though the enemy shells were dropping between the ships of the flotilla.
A further attempt to close with the enemy and get into range was made, but though the floods covered the land and made it appear navigable, it was necessary to follow the channel of the river when it is normal and this subjected the ships to the fire from the enemy’s land batteries. These held too advantageous a position to permit of further advance and our flagship decided to proceed no further.
‘Kent’ had fired 65 rounds and though reports stated that the enemy were hit, and had sustained damage, observations were exceedingly difficult, the enemy making no movement through the action.
‘Suffolk’ now appeared and opened fire with her 6”on the battery concealed in a church in the village of Salkolka and then on the enemy fleet. After 9 rounds the enemy ceased fire and we were ordered to return to the base.
The 6” gun in Suffolk still suffered from the same trouble as it had done at Perm and upon the gun being again stripped and examined it was concluded that the trouble was due to the weakness of the running out springs.
The fleet retired to Elabouga the Bolshevik army having effected a crossing of the Viatka River and driven the Siberian Army eastwards, the Western Army operating on the left bank of the Kama, also being obliged to retire to keep in line.
From the 14th to the 17th May ships were kept on the move helping in the transportation of troops and materials. No actual fighting took place, both armies appearing to keep away from the river, and the Bolshevik fleet making no attempts to take the offensive.
On the 17th May ‘Kent’ rendered assistance with other ships to one which ran aground in the mid-stream. At theis time the river was subsiding rapidly, averaging nearly one foot per day, and great caution had to be exercised when manoeuvring especially at night.
On the 20th May Captain Fierdosiff hoisted his flag in the ‘Kent’ during the absence of the flagship of the 3rd Division which was undergoing repairs to her steering gear. There being little activity on the river opportunities were taken for recreation, and the Russian crews took a keen part in the football etc with the British detachment.
On the 19th May ‘Suffolk’ had proceeded to a position a little below Piani Bohr and opened fire at range of 8500yds on enemy troops and batteries which were operating on the right bank of the river. The same evening a further retirement had to be made and the flotilla withdraw to Ekeskoia Ustkia.
At this time the news from the Western Army which was operating on the left bank of the Kama towards the south was very vague, communications being seriously hampered through the flooded state of the river which in places flowed over several miles of the low lying country.
Reports indicated that the position on the south of this front, and that the Red Army had reached the Beilie River in places. Assistance from the flotilla was called for an on the 23rd May, the 3rd Division proceeded to a point up this river remaining until the next day when orders were received to rejoin the flotilla at Ekeskoia Ustkia. The same evening the whole flotilla proceeded under cover of darkness – the precaution being taken as the left bank was at this time in the hands of the enemy – to Elabouga, arriving there at 3-45am on 24th May.
At 2pm on 24th May the enemy flotilla appeared in sight of Elabouga and at range opened fire on the base. The 3rd Division consisting of three ships, followed by the 1st Division of four ships, and ‘Suffolk’ proceeded down stream at full speed, Kent being third ship of the line. Under a heavy fire from the enemy who had chosen a good position with a dark background, the flotilla lost no time getting within range and fire was opened by ‘Kent’ at 8,000yds. Observation was difficult and the gunlayers had to lay their aim on the flashes from the enemy’s guns. In a short time our fire compelled their leading ship ‘Terek’ to beach itself in a burning condition, the crew escaping across the left bank under machine gun fire. Fire was then immediately directed on the second ship of the line ‘Roosal’ at a range of 4,700yds, a bend in the river enabling ‘Kent’ to employ three guns , which was a distinct advantage. ‘Roosal’ in endeavouring to withdraw was repeatedly hit an beached herself in flames.
The rapidity and volume of fire from our flotilla completely demoralised the Bolsheviks and discovering that they had lost two ships, the second of which was their flagship the remainder turned and proceeded downstream full speed maintaining their fire.
The second ship of our flotilla proceeded alongside the enemy’s ship ‘Roosal’ in order to extinguish the fire on board and to salve her if possible.
‘Kent’ following the flagship of the 3rd Division at full speed, gave chase to the remaining Red ships sinking one more small vessel.
After losing sight of the enemy on account of their superior speed, the flagship ‘Gordi’ turned the bend above Kotlovka and was met by a severe fire and hit at close range. This compelled her to turn and she signalled to ‘Kent’ to follow as rearguard. The wind being favourable ‘Kent’ made a thick smoke screen and fired her after guns at the enemy flotilla over the intervening high ground.
The enemy made no further appearance and from reports received later several of the ships that escaped were severely damaged. ‘Suffolk’ took up a position 5 verts below Elabouga and maintained a fire until the action passed out of th sight and observation was impossible.
The ’Terek’ was salved and proved to be little damaged, but it was impossible to remove the guns from the second ship ‘Boosal’ as she was practically submerged. The Bolshevik crew of ‘Terek’ abandoned their ship so quickly when they realised that our flotilla intended to close at all costs, that they left everything behind including their secret documents which gave full particulars as the composition and strength of their fleet and other valuable information.
In addition being numerically superior the Bolsheviks had the advantage of having steel built ships fitted with Diesel engines. Their guns were 4” and 4.7” of the latest design used in the Russian Navy. ‘Terek’ carried a 9ft range finder which was transferred later to one of the ships of the 1st Division and it proved to be most useful being the only one in our possession.
‘Kent’ fired 288 rounds in this action and though not directly hit herself received slight damage from splinters. ‘Suffolk’ remained in position below Elabouga during the 25th May and opened fire on enemy Cavalry formations and totally disabled two of the enemy’s batteries which had emplaced themselves within a range of 9000yds.
The fleet retired to Ekeskoia Ustkia and ‘Kent’ whilst performing the duties of guardship twice sighted the enemy ships, exchanging shots of the second occasion and moving westwards at the same time hoping thereby to draw the enemy towards our flotilla. The flagship receiving’Kent’s’ signal recalled her and the flotilla proceeded down steam to attack the enemy.
The ’Suffolk’ and another barge carrying two six inch guns were unfortunately ordered to fire too soon and before the flotilla could close sufficiently with the enemy to open fire, the Bolsheviks put up a very strong barrage on the bend of the River at the same time withdrawing so as to keep out of range of our guns. There being no advantage to be gained by continuing the action the flotilla returned to the base until the same afternoon when another attempt was made, but the nature of the country at this part of the river prevented the use of surprise tactics and the enemy was determined not to allow our ships to close with them as we did on the 24th.
During the afternoon of the 29th May information was received that large barge carrying oil fuel from the Beilie River had been left anchored near the mouth of the river by the Bolsheviks who had forced it to surrender from an unarmed tug. ‘Grozni’, the flagship of the 3rd Division) immediately proceeded upstream at full speed and reached this position the same evening. The Bolsheviks opened machine gun and rifle fire from the bank, and it was impossible to embark men on to the barge to raise the anchor. However, by backing up to the barge stern on ‘Grozni’ succeeded in passing a wire around the anchor cable, all hands keeping under cover of the after gun platform as much as possible. When this was done the ship went ahead and the cable passed through the wire bight until the anchor was eventually raised and the barge was towed away. The casualties were slight considering that the operations throughout were conducted under very heavy fire.
On the 29th May Admiral Smirnoff hoisted his flag in ‘Kent’ and proceeded downstream to where a minefield was being laid. All ships were then ordered to retire to a point North of the Beilie River and with ‘Kent’ leadint he line reached the mouth of the river shortly after dark. Here the Reds had set on fire 4 barges and from a 5th barge and houses on shore they opened fire with rifles and machine guns. After locating the enemy ‘Kent’ stopped and opened fire with maching guns, and, the wind being favourable, put up a thick smoke screen to cover the remainder of the fleet as it passed. After all the base ships etc. had passed, the remaining barge was sunk by shellfire and ‘Kent’ followed to the new base where Admiral Smirnoff transferred his flag to his own base ship ‘Volga’
On the 30th May ‘Suffolk’ successfully silenced a 3 gun battery on shore at 7.500 yads. Army headquarters reported later that the battery was completely destroyed and many casualties inflicted.
At this time ‘Kent’s’ engines appeared to be in bad repair and after a survey and trials it was decided to have them overhauled, the repair ship making the necessary new parts which were fitted later, and no further trouble was experienced.
On the 1st June Captain Wolfe Murray and the Naval Mission arrived from Perm and were accommodated in the flotilla base ship ‘Volga’
The 6 inch gun in the ‘Suffolk’ still gave trouble and after another examination washers were made and fitted into the spring cases hoping that in the way a greater initial compression would be given to the springs , and Captain Wolfe Murray sent a telegram to Vladivostok asking for further necessary spare parts to be sent up as soon as possible. Saraul fell at 5pm on 2nd June, the Siberian Army putting up so weak a defence that even the Army Headquarters Staff in their base ship near the town only just managed to make good their escape, all ships being fired upon by rifles and panic raging everywhere.
The 1st and 3rd Division were at Nikova and Beresovka, 45 versts below Sarapul, and they received information of the fall of Sarapul from Admiral Smirnoff who personally proceeded down the stream from Sarapal after the fall being shelled on the way.
At 10.45pm, ‘Kent’ and ‘Grozni’ proceeded at full speed up stream to Sarapul with orders to guard the bridge below the town, only one arch of which was navigable, until the other Division and Auxiliary ships arrived.
No opposition was met with and at 3.25am on the 3rd June, Kent and Grosni passed under the bridge and remained above it until 5-55am when the remainder of the fleet appeared, engaging enemy artillery on the right bank. The enemy now opened fire with many batteries, mostly 3” guns and ‘Kent’ and ‘Grosni’ received the signal to proceed at the head of the line. The enemy could not be located though his batteries were concealed in different positions between the bridge and the east of the town within comparatively close range of the river. The flotilla opened fire whenever a target appeared, and, ‘Kent’ observing what appeared to be gun smoke to the left of a large church, shelled this position after which an explosion occurred.
Machine gun fire was opened on both sides but nearly all the enemy’s bullets passed over head doing very little damage. A red flag was observed flying over the Town Hall which was promptly raised besides many other buildings in which Bolshevik troops were observed. During the action all the ships except ‘Kent’ were hit one or more times, but only one was sunk. With the exception of a few splinters, and a weakened paddle caused by a shell bursting besides it, no damage or casualties were caused in ‘Kent’.
The base was now formed at Galevo which is the terminus of the Railway from the Vodkinski Works. On the 4th June the Naval Mission returned to Perm and the same day ‘Kent’ proceeded down the stream in company with ‘Grozni’ to the village of Galiani. ‘Suffolk’ coming down next day joined the ‘Kent’ and ‘Grozni’ and proceeded to Nechenka, where ‘Suffolk’ fired on the enemy’s position east of Sarapul.
The same evening ‘Suffolk’ and ‘Grozni’ again proceeded up stream and ‘Kent’ was given instructions to anchor and open fire on the right bank at a village 6 versts inland. She was so heavily shelled, however, that she had to almost immediately weigh anchor and move to a more concealed position. While under weigh an enemy shell hit the ‘Kent’s’ dinghy amidships, completing destroyed it.
Galiani was captured by the enemy on the 7th June. On the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th ‘Kent’ and ‘Suffolk’ engaged the enemy’s infantry and shore batteries were silenced. On the 8th June when the enemy occupied Galiani and the high ground running inland from the right bank of the river, their infantry and artillery sought shelter from the fire of ‘Suffolks’ gun by hastily retreating into a wood. Passing through this wood they were met by a fierce fire of shrapnel and lyddite from the smaller guns of the flotilla as they emerged on the other side and many casualties were inflicted.
The River was now quite normal and the larger base ships had gone to Perm as their draft was too great to permit of safe navigation. This applied also to the Bolshevik fleet which could not advance further than the mouth of the Beilie River until the autumn.
The Siberian Army retired continually and large number of mens, horses and material had to be transported across from the right to the left bank, these operations being protected at all times by the flotilla.
The weather at this time was very hot and the mosquitoes through not of the malaria carrying species were most troublesome. However, the health of the detachment was good throughout the expedition in spite of the fact that the food was at times over very inferior quality.
On the 20th June the 3rd Division proceeded to Perm after having been relieved by the 1st Division.
On 25th June in view of the probability of Perm falling, it was decided to disarm the 1st and 3rd Divisions, the second Division remaining at the front, and ‘Kent’ proceeded to the magazine near which lay the British Naval Armoured Train, and commenced to dismantle, placing the guns, ammunition, armour, engine room parts and stores in the train.
The same day, the British Naval Mission left Perm for Omsk and ‘Suffolk’ having completed with ammunition proceeded down stream to a position 10 versts below Veltanka.
On 26th June ‘Suffolk’ engaged the enemy in the district of Veltanka and again on the 27th, the village of Strelka, routing large numbers of the enemy. On these two days ‘Suffolk’ fired 256 rounds and having expended all her ammunition she received orders to return to Perm, arriving at Motavileka Works in the morning of the 28th.
Perm being in imminent danger of falling the work of dismantling and the loading of the train had to be done without any loss of time. Great difficulty was experienced in dismounting the 6” gun from ‘Suffolk’ all the work having to be done by hand.
The loading of the train was completed by noon of the 28th June and the 6” gun placed on the truck by the same evening. The work of loading the train with guns, ammunition and material amounting to 14,000 poods in weight was carried out entirely by the crew. All material was brought away except some 200 rounds of ammunition.
The Russian authorities promised General Jack, Chief of the Railway Mission, to attach our wagons to our train leaving Perm that night but owing to the enormous congestion were were not able to get away until 6am on the 29th. Later we were informed that the town was shelled three hours after our departure. The detachment arrived at Vladivostok on the 18th August 1919.
Before evacuating Perm, Admiral Smirnoff gave permission for ‘Kent’ and ‘Suffolk’ to be sunk, and this operation as carried out during the afternoon of the 28th June 1919.
Whyte would go on to serve with Colombo from 3rd September until 11th November 1919.
After a further period ashore he would be moved to Lion from 20th February 1920 until 31st March 1920, a further appointment was aboard Warspite from 1st May 1920 until 18th June 1921, with his final seaborne appointment being aboard King George V from 11th August 1922 until 8th February 1923. He would be demobilised ashore on 15th March 1923.
