Orders, Decorations and Medals

A very good Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. & bar group of seven awarded to Lieutenant Colonel R. F. D. De F. Berrange, Queen’s Regiment and South African Forces

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, reverse inscribed ‘R.F.D. De Berrange, 10th The Queen’s Regt., 19.3.1918’; 1914-15 Star (Pte., 2nd Infantry); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) official correction to part of surname on Victory Medal; War Medal; Africa Service Medal, with Protea emblem, both officially impressed (700005 R.F.D. De F. Berrange); Belgian Croix fe Guerre, generally good very fine or better (7) £800-1000

See Colour Plate V

M.C. London Gazette 22 June 1918 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When in command of a raiding party, which was taking up its position in no mans land, he was suddenly confronted by a hostile raiding party. He thereupon at once led his men to attack the hostile party, with the result that the latter were driven back to their own trenches with heavy casualties, leaving prisoners in our hands. His coolness and powers of leadership were most marked.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 30 July 1919 ‘For great courage and able leadership in the actions near Comines. On September 28th and 29th 1918, he commanded the right leading company and on September 30th the right support company. During these actions his company captured one 5.9 inch gun, one trailer, one lorry, one complete battery of field guns, 12 machine-guns, and 30 prisoners. He captured the 5.9 inch himself, killing two of the detachment, including an officer, and capturing another. He did fine work.’

Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 4 September 1919.

Rene Francois Douglas de Fenzi Berrange joined the 2nd Infantry, South African Forces on 8 October 1914 in the rank of Private, and served in German South West Africa. He received a commission into the Queen’s Regiment on 5 December 1915,with whom he served in France and Flanders for the duration of the war (M.C. & bar and Belgian Croix de Guerre). During the Second War he served with the Essential Services Protection Corps, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (Protea Commendation, Birthday Honour 1946). Sold with further copied research detail.