2654775 - CSM Leonard Horrocks - 1930-45 Coldstream Guards - Medal Entitlements

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by ToddG, Aug 25, 2021.

  1. ToddG

    ToddG New Member

    Good evening everyone.

    I am hoping that the amazing brains trust on here will be able to help me find out some more information about my Great Grandfather's service with the Coldstream Guards and information about his service and what his medal entitlements would be?

    Unfortunately we don't have any of the documents like that of my other grandfather 6254890 SGT Lewis Gilbert Handley. We have the below replica medal rack.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    2654775 CSM Leonard Horrocks.png
     
  2. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Horrocks002.jpg Here is his enlistment entry. 1930.
     
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  3. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    With 2 campaign stars it is difficult to be certain of his wartime service chronology based just on the medals.

    The 39/45 Star could mean he saw service with BEF 1939/40 with either 1st or 2nd CG.

    It could also mean that he was retained in U.K. until 1943/44 and earned it with the Italy Star due to seeing over 6 months service in Italy. He could’ve been with either 2nd or 3rd CG in Italy,or possibly both as 3rd CG returned to U.K. March 1945 and personnel with less than 4 years overseas service were posted to 2nd CG as reinforcements (to replace an attached company of Scots Guards if my memory serves me well) .

    The interesting medal is the Defence Medal which he likely earned for 3 years service in a Training role in U.K. (either from Sept 1939 onwards or from June 1940 post Dunkirk) before being sent to Italy as a reinforcement.

    Many reinforcements were sent to North Africa after May 1943 to reinforce 2nd & 3rd CG in advance of the invasion of Italy but did not qualify for the Africa Star. He could even have not been posted to a fighting Battalion and remained at an Infantry Reinforcement Training Depot in Italy (IRTD) where a Brigade of Guards CSM would no doubt be much appreciated (I’ve seen Scots Guards CSM service files where that occurred and at least 2 CG CSM were awarded MID for their services at IRTD).

    The correct answer will be in his service record. If you had applied for it pre Covid you would’ve had it within a month as they were then held by RHQ CG but they are now held by MOD and they re taking a year to process enquiries. The process of transferring the records to the U.K. National Archives is imminent at which time they will strictly enforce the 115 year disclosure rule - only releasing papers 115 years after the subjects birth.

    Steve
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2021
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