Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Mesopotamia’ D.S.O. group of ten awarded to Major G. E. O. De Smidt, Indian Telegraph Department, later Royal Engineers and South African Corps of Signals

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with unofficial top suspension brooch, pin lacking; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Abor 1911-12 (Asst. Supdt. G. E. O. de Smidt Telg. Dept.); 1914-15 Star (Mr. G. E. O. Desmidt, Ind. Telgph. Dept.; British War and Victory Medals (Major G. E. O. Desmidt.); War Medal 1939-45 (289698 G. E. De Smidt) officially impressed; Africa Service Medal (289698 G. E. De Smidt) officially impressed; Delhi Durbar 1911; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, these last three unnamed as issued, the first with chips and repairs to both centres, nearly very fine or better (10) £1,200-£1,600

D.S.O. London Gazette 25 August 1917: ‘For distinguished service in the field in Mesopotamia. Temporary Captain Gerald Ewald Overbeek De Smidt, Royal Engineers.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 August 1917 and 5 June 1919.

Gerald Ewald Overbeck de Smidt was born in 1885, son of Abraham de Smidt and Hermine Overbeek.

He is believed to have served during the Second War as Lieutenant-Colonel with the South African Corps of Signals.