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• Auction House:
  Webb's
• Sale Name:
  The Gibson Collection of Orders, Decorations and Medals
• Sale Date:
  09 Apr 2014 ~ 6.30pm (NZ time)
• Lot #:
  38
• Lot Description:
  Rare Group of 9 to Commodore Leo Patrick Bourke, OBE, DSC & Bar, RD, RAN, RNZNR, (with RN) & RNZN.
  (i) Officer of the military division of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) 2nd type badge. (ii) Distinguished Service Cross, George VI (DSC) GRI cypher, hallmarked SG London 1945 and officially dated '1944' with Bar officially dated '1945'. (iii) 1939-34 Star. (iv) Atlantic Star w/c 'France and Germany'. (v) Pacific Star. (vi) War Medal 1939-45. (vii) New Zealand War Service Medal 1939-45. (viii) Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953. (ix) Royal Naval Reserve Officers' Decoration (RD), George VI, GRI cypher, reverse dated '1941'. OBE, Military Division, London Gazette, 9 June 1949. Seedie indicates his ship as HMNZS Taupo. DSC Fourth Supplement London Gazette 15 December 1944, page 5086, 'For gallantry and skill in anti-U-boat operations in HM Ships Balfour and Bayntun and HMCS Camrose' (Government House, New Zealand citation: 'Lieutenant-Commander Bourke was Commanding Officer of His Majesty's Ship 'Bayntun' which took part in an attack on an enemy U-boat during the late afternoon of 8 January 1944. It is considered that the U-boat was probably destroyed, and the credit for this success is shared equally by the two ships taking part.'). Seedie confirms incident took place in the Western Approaches. During Second World War 95 DSC, and 8 first Bars were awarded New Zealanders. Bar to DSC Supplement to London Gazette 15 May 1945, page 2524. 'For courage, skill and determination while serving in HM Ships Portchester Castle, Helmsdale, Braithwaite, Lock Eck, Loch Dunvegan and Bayntun in attacks on enemy submarines.' (Government House New Zealand citation: 'On the 3rd , 14th and 17th February, 1945, respectively, His Majesty's Ship 'Bayntun' detected three U-boats. She hit and probably sank one herself, with His Majesty's Ship 'Hedgehog', and played a major part in holding contact with the other two, while the remainder of the Tenth Escort Group attacked them. His Majesty's Ship 'Bayntun's high state of efficiency is largely the result of her Commanding Officer's zeal. His conduct during the three actions was outstanding.') Seedie confirms the incidents took place in the North Sea. During Second World War 95 DSC, and 8 first Bars were awarded New Zealanders. Additional information on these awards may be found in S D Waters 'The Royal New Zealand Navy: Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939-45, Wellington, 1956), page 483. See also Seedie. Sold with the following documents: (a) Warrant of Appointment as an OBE dated 9 June 1949, with facsimile signatures of King George VI and Queen Mary (Grand Master) and letter from Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood. (b) Original typed citations for DSC and Bar to DSC on Government House [New Zealand] notepaper and compliments slip. (c) Copies of entries in London Gazette and associated research.
• Provenance:
  Spink and Son Ltd., London, Auction 1994. Originally sold Sotheby's Auction, 15 April 1993, (Lot 321).
• Notes:
  Bourke was born in Australia on 5 April 1905. Educated in Australia and attended Royal Australian Naval College 1919-20; Cadet Midshipman RAN College, Jervis Bay 1919-22. Between1922-26 served with several shipping lines. He qualified as a master mariner; joined Royal Naval Reserve and Commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant 1927, Lieutenant 1932. During Second World War served with RN; Lieutenant-Commander 1940 and Commander 1945. He transferred to RNZN in 1946. Between 1946 and 1950 was with 11th RNZN Frigate Squadron; 1950-51 Navy Office, Wellington with rank of Captain (1950); head of NZ Joint Services Staff, Melbourne 1952-53; Deputy Director of RN War College 1955-56; 1957-59 CO HMS Sheffield and Flag Captain to the Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean. From 1959 until his retirement in 1960 he was Commodore, Auckland. Regional Director of Civil Defence, Auckland 1960-70. Died at Auckland on 26 April 1992.
• Estimate:
  NZ$15,000 - 25,000
• Realised Price:
  Undisclosed
• Category:
  Militaria & Weapons

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.