The MiD was almost certainly related to the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915. The list of awards to 33 Brigade officers and men on which he appears in the war diary contains some names picked out in the brigade account of the 10-14 March action, he was BSM of 33 Battery in the brigade.
The Russian award is less easy to pin down. Those awarded are from a great variety of units in different divisions. Such awards were often (always?) allocated by the British authorities on behalf of the allied country and were often (always?) used where it had proved not possible to give a British award, thus increasing the number who were able to be recognised for their efforts.
Having been commissioned, his records should be at the National Archives. A search for his name however only returns Captain Frederick James Clarke of the Royal Field Artillery. The record isn't digitised so would have to be seen, but we haven't seen the middle name James used before??
His commissioning date was 4 May 1916, the war diary has no record of him leaving the brigade. (War diary WO 95/1694)
The dates on his medal card suggest he finished his time at No2 RFA Officer Cadet School at Topsham Barracks Exeter either as an instructor or on the admin staff.
MaxD
