Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War North-West Europe operations M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant G. A. Glover, 2nd County of London Yeomanry (Westminster Dragoons), Royal Armoured Corps, who was decorated for his gallantry as a Troop Commander in Operation “Blackcock”

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (7915760 Sjt. G. A. Glover, Co. of Lond. Y.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine and better (5) £1600-1800

M.M. London Gazette 12 April 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘During Operation “Blackcock”, No. 1 Troop, ‘B’ Squadron, Westminster Dragoons, was commanded by Sergeant Glover.

On 23 January 1945, Sergeant Glover’s troop was given the task of clearing the road from Birgden to Waldenrath, leading No. 2 Squadron, Grenadier Guards. This lane was to be the axis along which would follow two troops of Crocodiles, and infantry in Kangaroos, for the assault on the strongly defended village of Straeten.

Shortly after leaving Birgden the third Flail became ditched in a minefield beside a tank which had been mined the previous day, and the axis was thus completely blocked. Sergeant Glover in the leading tank had finished his lane before the block became apparent. Realising that the whole attack was halted until a path could be cleared round the obstruction, Sergeant Glover on his own initiative returned with two Flails at his disposal and succeeded in clearing a detour through the minefield, negotiable by the following tanks, in spite of heavy shell fire.

It was an essential part of the plan that the attack should be completed to a strict timetable, and such was the promptitude of Sergeant Glover’s action, and so well was it executed, that the assaulting force was able to advance without loss according to schedule, and the objective was taken with complete success.

Throughout the whole operation which lasted six days, Sergeant Glover’s troop was detached from his squadron and he commanded it without a troop officer with outstanding ability and initiative.’

George Albert Glover was from North London; sold with several photocopied wartime photographs.