Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

The rare and unusual Second War M.B.E., Great War M.C. and ‘Gallipoli Armoured Cars’ D.S.M. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel G. de la Poer Beresford, Royal Engineers, late Royal Naval Air Service Armoured Car Section

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse inscribed ‘G. D. Beresford Capt. R.E. 17. Feb. 17.’; Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (F.1429. G. Beresford, P.O. Mech. Arm. Car. Sec., R.N.); 1914-15 Star (F.1429 G. De. La. P. Beresford P.O.M. R.N.A.S.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. G. De. La. P. Beresford.) court mounted for wear, generally good very fine and a rare combination of awards (6) £12,000-£14,000

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Provenance: Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals, October 1996.

One of only 7 D.S.Ms. for Gallipoli Armoured Cars.

M.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 11 June 1942:
‘For valuable services rendered in connection with the War.’

M.C. London Gazette 12 March 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a working party. He successfully carried out his work under very heavy fire. Later, he made a dangerous reconnaissance and obtained most valuable information.’

The following more informative recommendation was submitted by 17th Division Headquarters on 26 March 1917:
‘2/Lt G de la Poer Beresford, 93rd Field Company. For conspicuous gallantry and good work. On the night of February 8/9 this officer was in charge of a wiring party in front of the captured trench in sector U.14D. He carried out this work to a successful conclusion under heavy rifle fire, although three times forced to retire to the trench by enemy bomb attacks. Again on the night of February 10/11, accompanied by an N.C.O. he carried out a daring patrol reconnaissance of the enemy's wire and trenches on the left flank of the captured trench and succeeded in bringing back information which was of the utmost importance. This officer invariably does well when on forward work.’

D.S.M. London Gazette 19 November 1915:
‘For services in the Gallipoli Peninsula 1915.’

An Admiralty Letter of the 21 December 1915, gives the following citation:
‘I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to inform you that the award of the D.S.M. made to your son and to another rating C.P.O. Trussell was for Distinguished Conduct with the Armoured Car Section in Gallipoli, in repulsing an attack in force, made by the enemy, on June 11 last. The Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force has reported that the failure of this attack was almost entirely due to the good lookout, presence of mind, and efficiency in handling their guns displayed by these two men, 80 dead bodies being counted in front of the British positions when the enemy retired.’

M.I.D. General Sir Ian Hamilton's Despatch of 22 September 1915:
‘For gallant and distinguished services in the field.’

Gervais de la Poer Beresford was born at Brighton on 29 November 1894, and was educated at Marlborough College 1909-12, where he was a member of the College O.T.C. He afterwards attended Vevey Gymnase and Lausanne University 1912-13. He was a pre-War territorial member of the 8th Battalion, Essex Regiment, and attested for the Royal Fusiliers in London on 15 September 1914. He transferred to the Royal Naval Air Service on 9 November 1914, and served with 10 Squadron, Armoured Car Section in Gallipoli from 25 April 1915 until 6 October 1915, when he was discharged to shore on the disbandment of the Armoured Car Section. He was appointed to a commission in the Royal Engineers on 12 November 1915, and served in France with 93 Field Company from February 1916 to December 1917, when he returned to England with a broken leg. He afterwards served in North Russia where he served as Liaison officer to Russian Engineers and was in charge of training two Russian Engineer battalions at Archangel from November 1918 to June 1919, under Colonel Spokes, C.R.E., and General Ironsides. He arrived home from Archangel on 22 September 1919, having been awarded the Russian Order of St Anne, 3rd class with swords.

Beresford next went to India and Burma where he worked for 17 years with the Burma Oil Company, the final 2 years as Agent and General Manager of the Chauk Oil Field in Upper Burma. During this period he served as a Trooper in the Calcutta Light Horse (August 1920 to March 1924), and as a Sergeant in the Surma Valley Light Horse (November 1926 to March 1933). He was also Hon Magistrate in the Chauk Municipality 1933-36. He held various R.E. staff appointment in the U.K. from 31 July 1942, and in North West Europe from January 1945 to June 1946 as a Liaison officer. He retired in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and died on 10 May 1979, aged 83 years.

Sold with copied research together with an original Admiralty letter giving details of the award of the D.S.M., as quoted above, and a similar letter with citation for the M.C. from H.Q. 17th Division.

Note: The D.S.M. group to C.P.O. Mechanic A. G. Trussell was sold in these rooms in September 2007.