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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 226

A fine Great War Battalion C.O.'s group of three awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel R. E. de Vesian, London Regiment, late Middlesex Reserve Volunteers, who led the 8th Battalion on the Western Front

British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. R. E. De Vesian.); Officer's Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., silver, in case of issue, nearly extremely fine and better (3)

Roland Ellis de Vesian was born on 2 August 1863 at Epsom, Surrey, the son of Edward Ellis and German-born Ellen Jane Sinnett. A solicitor specialising in mortgage applications by profession, he was commissioned Lieutenant in the 19th Middlesex Reserve Volunteers in March 1882, promoted Captain with the 24th Middlesex Post Office Rifles in August 1890 and Temporary Major with the 8th Battalion, London Regiment, on 15 December 1914. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 June 1916, de Vesian was placed as Second-in-Command of the 2/8th Battalion (Post Office Rifles) and served with them in France from 28 January 1917. From 1 July-14 September 1917 he assumed command of the 1/8th Battalion, before being replaced by Lieutenant-Colonel William B. Vince and recommended for employment at 2nd Corps Headquarters. Posted home to London and assigned to the Ministry of Munitions of War, de Vesian became restless and began to enquire about a return to the fray:

'I am thoroughly fit & active and anxious for employment overseas. I have a thorough knowledge of French and a good working knowledge of German and Italian and am prepared to take up any appointment.'

Despite his protestations, de Vesian saw no further service overseas and remained working for the Ministry of Munitions of War. According to his employers in a letter to the War Office, dated 2 January 1919:

'I have the honour to state that Lieut. Col. R. E. de Vesian cannot be spared at the present moment owing to the fact that he is still urgently required in connection with the liquidation of Russian Contracts, and no one can be found with sufficient knowledge of the business to take his place.'

Having been disembodied on 19 March 1919, de Vesian applied for permission to transfer to the Territorial Force Reserve of Officers on 18 June 1920. It appears that his application was unsuccessful and he retired on attaining the age limit on 1 June 1921. He lived with his wife Ursula at 6 Gayton Crescent, Hampstead and died on 10 January 1950 at Kew.

For his son's Medals, please see the following Lot, 226.


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Sold for
£480

Starting price
£280