Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War Belgian Order of Leopold II group of five attributed to Corporal L. Verdonck, 10th Line Regiment, Belgian Army, who distinguished himself during an attack on the enemy’s positions on 14 October 1918, during which he was wounded

Belgium, Kingdom, Order of Leopold II, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver and enamel, French motto, with ‘A’ silver palm emblem on riband; Military Decoration, Second Class, A.I.R., silver-gilt, on bravery and devotion riband, with ‘A’ silver palm emblem on riband; Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., bronze, with ‘A’ bronze palm emblem on riband; War Medal 1914-18, bronze; Victory Medal 1914-19, bronze, very fine (5) £80-£120

Louis Verdonok was born at La Bouverie on 10 August 1894, and served during the Great War as a Corporal in the 10th Regiment of the Line. He was twice wounded during the Great War, at Dixmude (Diksmuide) in 1915, and a second time during the final 100 days on 14 October 1918. On this second occasion he also distinguished himself and was awarded the War Cross for bravery. He was awarded the Order of Leopold II on 13 December 1920, backdated to the date of the Armistice, the citation reading:
‘He has led the men under his command at all times by his example of courage, enthusiasm, and joviality. He particularly distinguished himself in an attack on 14 October 1918, during which he led his men in an assault on the enemy’s position, under a violent barrage, and was seriously injured during the action. He has served a total of 37 months, and was previously wounded at Dixmudein 1915.’

Note: The silver palm emblem on Verdonok’s Military Decoration Second Class denotes a further bravery award, although no citation for it has yet been found.

Sold with the large bestowal document for the Order of Leopold II and Croix de Guerre, with hand-written citation; and a large ‘Yser’ coloured scroll commemorating the recipient’s Great War service, this mounted in a glazed frame.