THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM HAS ACQUIRED ON LOAN THE VICTORIA CROSS AWARDED TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL DEREK SEAGRIM OF THE GREEN HOWARDS
20 December 2010


( select to enlarge )

Medal entitlement of Lieutenant Colonel Derek Seagrim,
Comd 7th Bn, Green Howards, CEF

  • Victoria Cross
  • General Service Medal ( 1918-62 )
    • 1 clasp:
    • "Palestine"
  • 1939-45 Star
  • Africa Star + clasp "8th Army"
  • Defence Medal ( 1939-45 )
  • War Medal + MiD Oakleaf

Image courtesy Seagrim family / © IWM


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.

From the time the attack was launched the Battalion was subjected to the most intense fire from artillery, machine-guns and mortars and it appeared more than probable that the Battalion would be held up, entailing failure of the main attack. Realizing the seriousness of the situation Lieutenant-Colonel Seagrim placed himself at the head of his Battalion which was, at the time, suffering heavy casualties, and led it through the hail of fire. He personally helped the team which was placing the scaling ladder over the anti-tank ditch, and was himself the first to cross it. He led the assault firing his pistol, throwing grenades and personally assaulting two machine-gun posts which were holding up the advance of one of his Companies. It is estimated that in this phase he killed or captured twenty Germans.

This display of leadership and personal courage led directly to the capture of the objective. When dawn broke the Battalion was firmly established on the position, which was of obvious importance to the enemy who immediately made every effort to regain it. Every post was mortared and machine-gunned unmercifully and movement became practically impossible but Lieutenant-Colonel Seagrim was quite undeterred. He moved from post to post organising and directing the fire until the attackers were wiped out to a man.

By his valour, disregard for personal safety and outstanding example he so inspired his men that the Battalion successfully took and held its objective thereby allowing the attack to proceed. Lieutenant Colonel Seagrim subsequently died of wounds received in action.


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
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.

In February 1944 the two British officers were ambushed and killed but Major Seagrim and the Karen officer escaped. The Japanese then arrested 270 Karens and tortured and killed many of them but still they continued to support Major Seagrim. To end further suffering to the Karens, Seagrim surrendered himself to the Japanese on the 15th March 1944. He was taken to Rangoon and together with eight others he was sentenced to death. He pleaded that the others were following his orders and as such they should be spared, but they were determined to die with him and all were executed.

Major Hugh Seagrim GC, DSO, MBE, and his Karen comrades are buried in the Rangoon War Cemetery. Grave Reference 4.A, Collective Grave 13-20.

News

Go to VC UK flag Home Page

Iain Stewart, 20 December 2010