Picked up Richard's passing on Paul Reed's/WW2talk Twitter feeds yesterday. I met Richard on my Leger visit to Italy in May 2014. Much more about him here: CO 4 PARA (@CO_4PARA) | Twitter Paul Reed on Twitter https://www.paradata.org.uk/article...and-personal-account-major-dick-hargreaves-mc RIP
"Last weekend we lost a great man and the last surviving officer who served in 4 PARA during the war. Major Richard Hargreaves was awarded the Military Cross for his leadership and bravery during an action at Laterza Bridge in Southern Italy." CO 4 PARA on Twitter Recommendation for Award for Hargreaves, Richard Strachin Rank: Captain ... | The National Archives Reference: WO 373/4/258 Name Hargreaves, Richard Strachin Rank: Captain Service No: 109259 Regiment: 4 Battalion Parachute Regiment Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Military Cross Date of announcement in London Gazette: 27 January 1944
He was one of the company commanders of 4 Para which landed on Megara in October 1944 during Operation MANNA. RIP