Auction Catalogue

16 & 17 September 2010

Starting at 1:00 PM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 1636

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17 September 2010

Hammer Price:
£1,500

A Second World War ‘Italy Operations’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Serjeant D. P. de B. Smith, 1st Royal Natal Carbineers, late 1st Battalion Transvaal Scottish
Military Medal, G.VI.R. (32013 V. Sjt. D. P. de B. Smith, 1 R.N.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; Africa Service Medal, these six all officially named (32013 D. P. Smith), note variation of initials, good very fine (7) £1200-1500

M.M. London Gazette 26 October 1944.
Recommendation states: ‘On 12 June 44 B Company commenced forming a bridgehead E of Bognoregio. Cpl. Smith led his section magnificently and with great daring, being the first man to climb a precipitous ledge and surprise the enemy. Appearing over the top, Germans shot at him from less than 10 yards and, replying with his TMC, he killed two and disconcerted the remainder. All night Cpl. Smith remained in action on a terrace and at dawn led his section, under fire from the rear, up an almost vertical slope to storm what was probably a Company position in the town. He was an inspiration to his section throughout, his bold actions and determination certainly causing the enemy to waver and finally break. In an exceedingly short space of time, during which Cpl Smith displayed the highest courage and complete disregard for his own safety, his determined leadership gained his section their objective and Bognoregio was quickly captured’.

Dorrien Patrick de Bruyn Smith was born on 29 May 1916, and was a Clerk prior to joining the 1st Battalion Transvaal Scottish. Dorrien continued to serve with the Transvaal Scottish throughout his campaign service in East and North Africa. He was still with them when he was 'wounded-in-action' on 25 January 1941, on which date he received 'multiple shrapnel wounds'.

On his return to South Africa in early 1943 he was struck off the strength of the Transvaal Scottish and transferred to the Royal Natal Carbineers on 6 April 1943. With this latter regiment he served the rest of his military service, including his second overseas campaign in Italy, during which he was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in action at the cliff-top town of Bognoregio, to the north of Rome. In his book,
With the 6th Division, author W. L. Fielding wrote "Outstanding was the performance of some of the men from Natal, who climbed the precipitous sides of the krantz and completely surprised the enemy." Dorrien Smith died after an illness at Port Shepstone in October 1998.

With recipient’s identity tags; button; ‘Transvaal Scottish’ enamelled tie-pin; ‘The Royal Natal Carbineers’ cloth shoulder badge;metal badge; cloth badge; cockade; two photographs of the recipient in uniform; two papers concerning his awards; together with copied service papers and obituary.