Original Group of Effects, Colonel Guy De Pass D.S.O. O.B.E., 4th Royal Irish Dragoons and 4th Ox and Bucks Sale
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An interesting group, obtained from a family who knew Guy De Pass, comprising his travelling bag and two Brodie helmets.
De Pass was born in 1898, being a cousin of Frank Alexander de Pass, the first Jewish recipient of the V.C. He was educated at Eton and commissioned as Second Lieutenant , in the 4th Royal Irish Dragoons on 27 October 1916, arriving in France on 21 October 1917 (shows as 26th in War Diary, which also confirms he went to A Squadron).
During the German Spring Offensive of 1918, De Pass was instrumental in holding a crossroads and re-capture of the village of Sailly Laurette, which are reputed to have earned him a citation for the Victoria Cross, but this was later downgraded to a Distinguished Service Order. This is referenced in the unit war diary on 24 April 1918 which seems to have followed heavy action between 21-31 March. It was the highest decoration awarded for those actions. Gazetted on 26 July 1918, his citation reads;Â
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on many occasions during lengthy operations, notably carrying out a most difficult and valuable reconnaissance, and when in command of an advance troop establishing posts in a position abandoned earlier by our troops, rallying stragglers, and with, them and his own men engaging the advancing enemy, thus enabling a counter-attack. to develop, being subjected the whole time to severe artillery and machine-gun fire. His one desire has been to engage the enemy, and by his courage and skill he has invariably been able to do so with success.
He remained in the Army Reserve after the war, serving as a Territorial Officer with the 4th Battalion Ox and Bucks Light Infantry.
He held a number of staff appointments during World War Two, including Second in Command of the 4th Ox and Bucks. He later became the Deputy Director of the Labour 2nd Army and served in Europe until the end of the war. He is recorded as being with the Pioneer Corps when his O.B.E. was Gazetted on 1 February 1945.
He died 16 August 1985. Private papers written by de Pass aer currently in the possession of the Imperial War Museum.Â
The group comprises in detail;
1. A heavy canvas travelling bag, named on one side to Col. G. De Pass (the Colonel later scrubbed out as he was promoted as a temporary Colonel). Paper tag still attached bearing the Colonels name and his entitlement to the D.S.O., with O.B.E. later added in pen. Difficult to read but seems to bear his address in Harpenden. Other side of the tag is even harder to read,Â
Opposite side of the bag bears three lines of text as follows; 43018, DE PASS, 37098.
The locking mechanism is a little stiff and there is no key, but the bag is intact, no significant rips, tears or damage.
2. A 1938 dated Brodie helmet. The helmet bears it s original helmet net, that is a little tatty and torn in places, but original scrim is still present underneath. Evidence of insignia on one side, a square with blue yellow red blue horizontal stripes (the Ox and Bucks Regimental flash). 1938 date stamp on the bales and maker stamped J.S.S. (Joseph Sankey and Sons of Bilston). Stamped G.G. beneath this.
The liner is a high quality Saville Row private purchase style, often worn by high ranking Officers, and labelled Hawkes s Patent Self-Fitting & Ventilating Lining .
3. A smooth, black painted Brodie helmet. The helmet has one drill holes on the rim adjacent the chin strap bales. Helmets graded for combat use did not have any holes present. Those with one or two holes present indicated manufacturing defects, and whilst being of use for the military, not suitable for combat. Liner is intact but draw string between the internal flaps has come loose. Named in two places under the lip of the lining Depass . Assumed to be his non-combat helmet following his move to the 2nd Army.
No maker marks found.
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