Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Lloyd’s Lifesaving Medal group of four to Third Officer G. L. Dentant, Belgian Merchant Marine

Belgium, Order of Leopold II, 5th Class breast badge, silver and enamel, silver ‘L’ palm on ribbon; War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-18; Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea, 2nd small type, silver (3rd Officer Gerard L. Dentant, S.S. “Kasbek”, 4th August 1918) good very fine and better (4) £400-500

‘At 6.30 on the 4th August 1918, the Belgian S.S. Kasbek was proceeding under escort with the British S.S. Clan Macnab, when the British ship was torpedoed, and sank within three minutes of the explosion. The Kasbek immediately turned towards the wreckage and, in spite of the risk of being torpedoed herself, put out two boats. She then circled round at full speed for about an hour while the boats picked up the crew of the Clan Macnab. The 1st and 3rd Officers and Boatswain manned one boat and picked up three boats full of men whom they transferred to one of the destroyers. The second boat with the 2nd Officer and two men picked up nine men and took them on board the Kasbek. They were conveyed to Newport, where they arrived at 7 a.m. on the 5th. The Owners of the Clan Macnab have presented Captain Sytor with £250 for himself and his crew, and their Protection Association have supplemented this with an additional £100’.

Captain Charles Sytor, Chief Officer Jerome Geryl, 2nd Officer Pierre Barbe and 3rd Officer Gerard L. Dentant were all awarded the Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea in silver. Sold with copied research.