Lieutenant General De Grave was a brave artillery officer during the First World War.
During the German invasion of Belgium on 10 May 1940, he commanded the 4th Infantry Division.
On 14 May 1940, he was placed at the disposal of the Minister of Defence, retiring on 1 October 1944.
General De Grave's Belgian decorations:
Commander of the Order of Leopold (1936) and the Order of the Crown (1931), Officer of the Order of Leopold and the Order of the Crown with Palm, War Cross 1914-1918 with Palms, Yser Medal, Fire Cross, Commemorative and Victory Medal, Military Cross 1st Class and Medal of the Centenary 1830-1930.
General De Grave's foreign decorations:
Military Cross UK (1919), War Cross France (Citation in the order of the day of the 1st French Army 1917, second citation in 1919), Knight of the Order of the Crown Italy (1919).