A Collection of Medals to the South Wales Borderers

A fine Second War ‘North West Europe’ immediate M.M. group of five awarded to Private G. P. Gallagher, South Wales Borderers

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (3910592 Pte. G. P. Gallagher. S. Wales Bord.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, very fine (5) £1,400-£1,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the South Wales Borderers.

View
Collection

M.M. London Gazette 1 March 1945.

‘On the night 10/11 September 1944 at Le Havre, Pte Gallagher was a member of a forward platoon. It was very dark and he was given orders to report the exact location of his platoon to company HQ. He only knew the approximate position of company HQ and had to work towards it through thick bushes, trees and wire. On the way he heard sounds of movement and investigated, finding six armed Germans moving cautiously along a track in the direction of company HQ. Although heavily outnumbered, Private Gallagher worked up close to them, fixed his bayonet and charged. Surprised from the rear the enemy dropped their arms and surrendered. The whole of this episode was seen by Private Gallagher’s company commander, who until Private Gallagher had charged, was unaware of the presence of any enemy. Private Gallagher showed, for a private soldier, a fine aggressive spirit and splendid sense of duty.’

Gerard Peter Gallagher, from Liverpool, Lancashire, was born in 1913. He attested into the South Wales Borderers and served during the Second War. He died in Liverpool in October 1963.