RARE WW2 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER AWARD WARRANT & PHOTO - COL. SMITH-DORRIEN

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A TRULY RARE OFFERING THIS WEEK!! Part of a collection of Rare Award Bestowal Documents accumulated many years ago & purchased by this seller two years ago. THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER AWARD WARRANT DOCUMENT , SIGNED BY KING GEORGE VI TO MAJOR & Temporary LT-COLONEL (Later BRIGADIER GENERAL) Gerald Horace Grenfell SMITH-DORRIEN K.R.R.C, & THE ORIGINAL 'OFFICIAL' PHOTOGRAPH OF D.S.O PRESENTATION "IN THE FIELD" BY GENERAL (Later FIELD MARSHAL) Bernard MONTGOMERY - The Famous 'MONTY'. Awarded the D.S.O for his Gallantry in NORTH AFRICA in 1942, LT-Col. Gerald SMITH-DORRIEN was attached to the 'BUFFS' (East Kent Regiment) & later promoted BRIGADIER GENERAL & COMMANDING OFFICER of the 169th Infantry Brigade. He was KILLED IN ACTION in near Gradara, ITALY on 13th September 1944, at just 40 years old. So you are asking yourself, where have I heard the name SMITH-DORRIEN?? GERALD WAS THE SON OF THE FAMOUS WW1 GENERAL - HORACE SMITH-DORRIEN WHO SURVIVED THE MASSACRE AT ISHANDLWANA IN 1879, & LATER SAVED THE B.E.F AT Le CATEAU IN 1914, THEN COMMANDING 2nd CORPS IN 1914/15 in the DEFENCE OF YPRES. Yes, this Ultra RARE lot is for HIS SON ! The auction consists of Original WARRANT DOCUMENT for the Award of the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER on correct parchment paper with G VI R crown watermark & embossed Royal Stamp. It comes with copies , & Original OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH of the personal presentation of the D.S.O 'In the field' by General (Later Field Marshal) MONTGOMERY. Brigadier General Smith-Dorrien was Entitled to the following Medal Group..... D.S.O (GRI) - Dated 1943, 1939/45 Star, Africa Star with '8th Army' Bar, Italy Star, War Medal. All issued UN-NAMED. The D.S.O Document is dated the 'Fourteenth day of JANUARY 1943' & named to Gerald Horace Grenfell Smith-Dorrien, Esquire, Major (Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) in Our Army. Bottom left it is named on three lines:- 'Major (Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) G. H. Grenfell Smith-Dorrien The King's Royal Rifle Corps' Signed at top right GEORGE R. I. (KING GEORGE VI), & bottom right by P. J. GRIGG (Principle Secretary of State for War Department). The reverse side of the Award PHOTOGRAPH dated 13.2.43 states:- "BRITISH OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH. NO. BM.23162 (XT) WAR OFFICE PHOTOGRAPH. GENERAL MONTGOMERY VISITS U.K ARMOURED TROOPS IN FORWARD AREA TO PRESENT AWARDS. General Montgomery visited United Kingdom regiments of an Armoured Brigade in their forward positions. After inspecting various units he decorated a number of men for gallantry. Photo shows:- Lt. Col. Smith-Dorrien receives the D.S.O. He is in the Buffs". This Rare & important item c omes with an extensive research file containing London Gazette D.S.O entry, War Graves printouts & details of his Father's Career. All Documents in Very Fine Condition. A Truly Rare set that would grace the best of collections. ALL ITEMS AS DESCRIBED, SO A NO RETURN POLICY ON THIS GROUP. DUE TO RECENT EXPERIENCE, IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO BUY, THEN RETURN IF YOU CAN'T RESELL FOR A LARGE PROFIT, PLEASE TAKE NOTE. A Rarity indeed & priced as such. If you want something of value for nothing, please look elsewhere. A big hello to my many ebay friends & colleagues, particularly in USA, Canada, Europe & OZ. I POST WORLDWIDE & AM HAPPY TO COMBINE POSTAGE ON MULTIPLE PURCHASES. PAYMENT Payment by cheque (preferred) or paypal - thank you. UK Buyers:- If an item is paid for by cheque, then I will pay the postage. read more

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