Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Lieutenant G. W. Hird, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), Royal Armoured Corps, who was wounded during the crossing of the Sangro, 22 November 1943, and was killed in action when his scout car ran over a mine in Belgium, 20 September 1944

1939-45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Army Council enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘A. F. Hird Esq., 6 Chandos Avenue, Southgate, London N14.’, extremely fine (4) £140-180

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Second World War Casualties.

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Geoffrey William Hird was commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1943 and served during the Second World War with the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), Royal Armoured Corps, joining the Regiment in Italy on 7 September 1943. He was in action on 22 November of that year, the Battalion War Diary recording: ‘10 tanks crossed the Sangro, the remainder being stuck in the mud on the far side. These tanks were now in support of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Heavy shellfire was encountered on the crossing. Later in the day Sergeant Bryant destroyed a machine gun nest near the Argylls’ position. The enemy at this time were only 200 yards from our harbour. Casualties through shelling: Second Lieutenant Hird and Troopers Coleman and Brothwell.’

Promoted Lieutenant, on 16 December 1943: ‘Lieutenant Hird’s Troop was sent at 1:00 p.m. with a Platoon of infantry to discover whether the village of Consalvo, about a mile across the road, was still held. After going a short distance the leading tank was knocked out and set on fire. Of the crew one was killed and two wounded.’

By September 1944 Hird was serving with his unit in North-West Europe, and on 20 September was killed in action, as recounted in the Battalion War Diary: ‘Placed under the command of 8th Corps and re-joined the 4th Armoured Brigade in the area of Asche with the instructions to hold a section of the west bank of the Junction canal and prevent any crossings by the enemy. Liaison was made with United States forces to the South. Major Atkin, M.C., Lieutenant Hird, and Trooper Trotter were killed when a scout car in which they were making a reconnaissance ran over a mine.’

Hird was aged 21 at the time of his death. He is buried in Leopoldsburg War Cemetery, Belgium. His medals were sent to his father Albert Frederick Hird.

Sold with two photographic images of the recipient.