Seagrim brothers VC & GC.

Discussion in 'General' started by Owen, Jan 15, 2009.

  1. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Nearly finished The Campaign in Burma by Frank Owen that Andy sent me.
    Just read about a Major Seagrim who was executed by the Japanese.
    Looked him up on CWGC and remembered I have actually read about him before , as he was awarded the GC & his brother the VC.

    Casualty
    Hugh Seagrim GC DSO MBE

    Son of the Reverend Charles Paulet Conyngham Seagrim and Amabel Emma Halsted Seagrim, of East Dean, Eastbourne, Sussex. His brother, Derek Anthony, also fell and was awarded the Victoria Cross.

    The following details are given in the London Gazette of September 12th, 1946: "Awarded the George Cross for most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner." Major Seagrim was the leader of a party which included two other British and one Keren officer working in the Keren Hills of Burma. By the end of 1943 the Japanese had learned of this party who then commenced a campaign of arrests and torture to determine their whereabouts. In February 1944 the other two British officers were ambushed and killed but Major Seagrim and the Keren officer escaped. The Japanese then arrested 270 Kerens and tortured and killed many of them but still they continued to support Major Seagrim. To end further suffering to the Kerens, Seagrim surrendered himself to the Japanese on 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 were all executed.


    Casualty
    Derek Seagrim VC

    The citation in the London Gazette of 11th May, 1943, gives the following details On the night of 20th/21st March, 1943, a battalion of the Green Howards was ordered to attack and capture an important and strongly defended feature on the Mareth Line. The battalion was subjected to intense fire; it appeared more than probable that it would be held up and that the main attack would fail. Lieutenant-Colonel Seagrim realized the seriousness of the situation and at the head of his battalion led it through a hail of fire to the assault, personally attacking two machine-gun posts; it is estimated that in this phase he killed, or captured, twenty Germans. By his personal courage, disregard for his own safety, and outstanding leadership he so inspired his men that the battalion successfully took and held its objective, thereby enabling the attack to proceed. Lieutenant-Colonel Seagrim subsequently died of wounds received in action.


    Some more info here, including potraits.
    whissonsett history6

    The Karens presented the village a plaque to Grandfather Longlegs.
    whissonsett history
     

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