Orders, Decorations & Medals - Other Countries

  PrevNext  

Lot 5196    Session 19 (4.30pm Friday 25 November)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Other Countries

Estimate $500
Bid at live.noble.com.au

BELGIUM, Group of Ten to Freedom Fighter and POW: Officer of the Order of the Crown; Knight of the Order of Leopold II; Gold Palms of the Order of the Crown; Cross of the Political Prisoner of War 1940-45; Volunteer Combatant's War Medal; Commemorative Medal of the War 1940-45; Military Combatant's Medal 1940-45; Commemorative Medal of the Reign of King Albert I; Gold Cross of Recognition of the Fraternal Unions of the Secret Army WWII; Medal of the Armed Resistance 1940-45. Mostly extremely fine.

Together with certificates for all medals, various photo ID cards, photographs, certificates for various military appointments and a host of other military related documents, mostly in Dutch, one of the official languages of Belgium.

Emile Van Melle, Schepen Andrieeslaan 71, 9000 Gent, Dossier Ni.504.723 - As a freedom fighter in early 1941 was appointed as leader and organiser of several sections in Division of Leiestreek. Arrested 03Mar1943 by Gestapo being accused of being leader of the White Brigade active in the municipalities of Latem, Deurele & Drongen and took part in secret meetings as go-between at Gent - released after 6 weeks due to lack of evidence. After release was ill but continued underground activities until 08Jun1944 when again harassed by Gestapo and had to go underground until end of German occupation. As arranged by Ministry of Defence, underwent training in England as mechanic before returning to underground. On 08Jul1947 applied for invalid pension due to ill health caused by wartime activities, but rejected and as a result, there was a protracted appeal process that dragged on for years before qualifying for a war pension on 28Feb1968. The Department of Defence confirmed that Van Melle held the rank of Lieutenant in the underground movement.

Estimate / sale price does not include buyer's premium (currently 22% including GST) which is added to hammer price. All bids are executed on the understanding that the Terms & Conditions of sale have been read and accepted. For information on grading and estimates please refer to the Buying at Auction advice.

Quick find

View a lot by number and sale.

Adjacent lots

  • Lot 5194  

    PAIR: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 72658 Pte. B.W.Frewin. N.Z.E.F. Impressed. Very fine. ...

    Estimate $100

  • Lot 5195  

    BELGIUM, Order of the Crown (Knight). Very fine.

    Estimate $100

  • Lot 5196   This lot

    BELGIUM, Group of Ten to Freedom Fighter and POW: Officer of the Order of the ...

    Estimate $500

  • Lot 5197  

    BELGIUM, a large (approx 27.5x36cm), leather bound book with some colour cards of Belgium Army ...

    Estimate $500

  • Lot 5198  

    BELGIUM, Trio: War Cross (Croix de Guerre) with Gold Lion emblem (denotes mentioned in despatches ...

    Estimate $150