THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM HAS ACQUIRED ON LOAN THE VICTORIA CROSS AWARDED TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL DEREK SEAGRIM OF THE GREEN HOWARDS |
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20 December 2010 |
The Imperial War Museum in London has acquired on loan the Victoria Cross and campaign medals awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Derek Seagrim, who commanded the 7th Bn, The Green Howards, during their time in North Africa in 1943. The museum has also acquired on loan the George Cross awarded to Derek Seagrim's brother, Major Hugh Seagrim, 19th Hyderabad Regiment, Indian Army. Both are currently on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery in the Imperial War Museum.
For the award of the Victoria Cross [ London Gazette, 13 May 1943 ], Near Sfax ( Mareth Line ), Tunisia, North Africa, 20 - 21 March 1943, Major ( T / Lieutenant Colonel ) Derek Anthony Seagrim, Comd 7th Bn, Green Howards ( Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment ).
On the night of the 20th / 21st March 1943, the task of a Battalion of the Green Howards was to attack and capture an important feature on the left flank of the main attack on the Mareth Line. The defence of this feature was very strong and it was protected by an anti-tank ditch twelve feet wide and eight feet deep with minefields on both sides. It formed a new part of the main defences of the Mareth Line and the successful capture of this feature was vital to the success of the main attack.
Derek Seagrim died from his wounds received during his VC action on the 6th April 1943, aged 39, at a military hospital near Sfax . He is buried in the Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia, 150 miles south of Tunis. Plot XIV, Row C, Grave 21. Headstone. |
THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM HAS ACQUIRED ON LOAN THE GEORGE CROSS AWARDED TO MAJOR HUGH SEAGRIM, 19TH HYDERABAD REGIMENT, INDIAN ARMY |
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20 December 2010 |
For the award of the George Cross [ London Gazette, 12 September 1946 ], Karen Hills, Burma, 1943 - 1944, Major Hugh Paul Seagrim, DSO, MBE, 19th Hyderabad Regiment, Indian Army
Awarded the George Cross for most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.
Major Hugh Seagrim was the leader of a party which included two other British and one Karen officer working in the Karen Hills of Burma. By the end of 1943 the Japanese had learned of his party who then commenced a campaign of arrests and torture to determine their whereabouts. |
Iain Stewart, 20 December 2010