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Auction: 24001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 100

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

The campaign group of eight awarded to Colonel R. R. Dauban, Royal Artillery, who was Deputy Commander of the British Military Mission to Greece during the Second World War, being twice decorated for his services

British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. R.R. Dauban.); Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oakleaves, Coronation 1937, Greece, Monarchy, Royal Order of George I, IV Class Officer's breast Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Greece, Monarchy, Medal of Military Merity, clasp, 1940, mounted for wear, about very fine and an unusual combination (8)

Greek Order of George I London Gazette 16 January 1948. The original recommendation states:

'This Officer showed extraordinary zeal, concern and energy while working for the formation and equipment of the Kerkyra (Corfu) National Guard Division. Of his record he aided the establishment of a Hospital in Corfu. He also aided in solving any questions concerning the demobilised partisans. He contributed greatly to the reorganisation of the Greek Army serving as Liaison Officer to the General Staff. He thus rendered invaluable service to our country.'

Greek Medal of Merit London Gazette 4 November 1952.

Richard Rene Dauban was born on 26 September 1897 at Curepipe, Mauritius, where he spent the first 12 years of his life. Later being enrolled at Beaumont College, Old Windsor, he was a member of the School Officers' Training Corps and recalled being on Annual Camp when war was declared on 4 August 1914. His (privately published) memoirs recound that time: 'In the Spring of 1915 when everyone in England was convinced that the war would not last long, a wave of enthusiasm ran round all Public Schools and all boys of suitable age were keen to join the Services before the war ended. So, like many Beaumont Boys I wished to go to the war. I wrote to my Mother to ask if I could join the Army. My Father was then in Mauritius and he had to be cabled too. He cabled back giving his permission, and my Headmaster nominated me for entry into the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, as I wished to be an Artillery man.' ('Richard Rene Dauban, His Life from 1897-1948', privately published, 2010).

Dauban was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in August 1916, serving in France as a Lieutenant from February 1917. From 1920 - 1926 he travelled extensively thoughout India, both privately and in the course of his military duties, and returned to the United Kingdom in February of that latter year.
Advanced Captain in August 1929, he was Garrison Adjutant, Plymouth from May 1929-January 1931 and was a Staff Captain back in India from July 1935-July 1939, accompanied by his wife and two young children - together they continued to travel widely as opportunity afforded, including 16 days in Japan in 1937. Promoted Major on 1 August 1938 and recalled to duty in the U.K. on 11 June 1939, by September Dauban was Second-in-Command of 22nd Medium and Heavy Training Royal Artillery, based at Shoeburyness. Further training postings thoughout the country followed, before moving on to Staff and command appointments including Assistant Quarter Master General Scottish Command and Commanding Officer 72nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery.

Made acting Lieutenant-Colonel on 19 August 1940, in 1944 he was posted to General Headquarters, Middle East Forces, Cairo, as General Staff Officer Grade 1 (Plans); this commenced a year of service around the Mediterranean, perhaps the most important posting of which saw him as Deputy Commander of the British Military Mission to Greece together with promotion to full Colonel. Returning to Britain in 1946, Dauban thence spent two years as Commandant of several Prisoner-of-War camps and finally retired on 22 December 1948 after 32 years' service. He died in London 1967.

Sold together with a copy of 'Richard Rene Dauban, His Life from 1897-1948', which contains much further detail relating to his travel abroad and life during those years, in addition to a number of illustrations and photographs.

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Sold for
£1,000

Starting price
£270