Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Well-Documented Belgian group of nineteen awarded to Adjutant P. Siestemich, 1st Grenadier Regiment

Belgium, Kingdom, Order of Leopold, Civil Division, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, gilt appliqué, and enamel, French motto, with gilt palm on riband; Order of the Crown, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, gilt appliqué, and enamel, with crossed swords emblem on riband; Order of Leopold II, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, French motto, with crossed swords on riband; Civil Decoration, Second Class Cross, silver and enamel, on administrative long service riband; Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., bronze, with bronze palm on riband; Order of Leopold II, Gold Medal of the Order, gilt; Civil Decoration, First Class Medal, silver-gilt, on administrative long service riband; Military Decoration, First Class, gilt, on bravery riband; Royal Order of the Lion, Gold Medal, gilt, with gilt chevron on riband; African Campaign Medal 1914-17, 1 clasp, Mahenge, silver; Commemorative War Medal 1914-18, bronze, with three gilt bars on riband; Allied Victory Medal 1914-19, bronze; Frontline Fire Service Cross, bronze; Commemorative War Medal 1940-45, bronze, with miniature crossed swords emblem on riband; Resistance Medal 1940-45; Independence Centenary Medal 1930, silver; Leopold II Commemorative Medal 1905, gilt; Colonial Service Star, 1st type, silver, with silver bar on riband; Rhine Guard Veteran’s Medal 1918-29, gilt and enamel, all except the Order of Leopold mounted court-style as worn on two bars of nine, minor enamel damage in parts, generally very fine and better (19) £700-900

Pierre Siestemich was born in Liége, Belgium, in 1886 and attested for the 1st Grenadier Regiment, Belgian Army in 1906. Promoted Corporal in 1913, and Sergeant the following year, he served during the Great War in Flanders between 1914 and 1915, and in Africa from 1916 until 1918. Promoted Sergeant in 1921, and Sergeant Major the following year, he attained his ultimate rank of Adjutant in 1923, prior to his discharge from the Army in 1925. He subsequently saw further service during the Second World War.

Sold together with three photographs of the recipient in military uniform; his Mobilization Book which lists his service and awards from 1906-37; and a large quantity of original bestowal documents and accompanying letters for the awards of the Order of Leopold, Chevalier, dated 1965; Order of the Crown, Chevalier, dated 1955; Order of Leopold II, Chevalier, dated 1945; Croix de Guerre, dated 1922; Order of Leopold II, Gold Medal, dated 1926; Military Decoration, First Class, dated 1927; and Second Class, dated 1919; Royal Order of the Lion, Gold Medal, dated 1949; African Campaign Medal; Commemorative War Medal 1914-18; Allied Victory Medal 1914-19; Commemorative War Medal 1940-45; Resistance Medal; Independence Centenary Medal; Leopold II Commemorative Medal; Albert I Commemorative Medal; Colonial Service Star, dated 1919; and the Rhine Guard Veteran’s Medal.