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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 186

Six: Captain G. W. Liebenberg, 'Q' Service Corps, South African Forces, an unusual example of a South African serving in North-West Europe

1939-45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; South Africa Service Medal 1939-45, all officially inscribed, '43610 G. W. Liebenberg', very fine and better (6)

Gabriel Willem Liebenberg was born at Philippolis, Orange Free State on 16 October 1919 and initially attested as a Pilot Officer in the South African Air Force however he was discharged on 30 December 1939. Re-attesting on 16 June 1940 as a Sergeant with 'Q' Service Corps he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 6 November 1941.

Appointed Company Commander with the 1st Battalion, Indian & Malay Corps on 21 May 1942 he entered the war in Italy with that unit. Transferring back to South Africa he joined the 2nd Battalion, Cape Corps in August 1943 and served with them for some time, returning to the Middle East on 6 January 1944.

Not long later Liebenberg was seconded to British Forces, specifically the 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, serving with them from 8 March-8 May 1945, one of few South Africans to see action in Europe. Leaving them he spent the rest of his service in a repatriation unit for Union Defence Force soldiers. Liebenberg was released from service on 31 October 1945; sold together with copied service papers.

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Estimate
£200 to £300

Starting price
£160