Derek Anthony Seagrim
T / Lieutenant Colonel, 7th Battalion. Green Howards
- Register No.
- 1121 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- T / Lieutenant Colonel (register: Temp. Lieutenant Colonel) all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- 7th Battalion. Green Howards all Green Howards VCs →
- Date of action
- 20–21 March 1943 on this day → all of 1943 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 13th May 1943 on this day → all of 1943 →
- Born
- 24th September 1903 at Bournemouth, Hampshire
- Memorial / grave
- at the Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia: Also a Memorial Plaque in the Church at Whissonsett, Norfolk
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
Lieutenant Colonel Seagrim led the Battalion to attack and capture an important objective on the left flank of the Mareth Line, Tunisia on the 20th/21st March, 1943. The defence of the enemy position was extremely strong, protected by a 12 ft wide and 8 ft deep anti-tank ditch surrounded by mines. The moment the attack began it was subjected to very intense artillery, machine gun and mortar fire. Lieutenant Colonel Seagrim placed himself at the head of the Battalion, even though, at that time, they were suffering heavy casualties. He led them through a hail of fire. He was the first man across the scaling ladder, that he'd helped to place himself. Firing his pistol and hurling grenades, he led the assault and personally attacked two machine-gun posts, capturing or killing 20 Germans. At dawn, they were firmly established on the position, against a determined enemy who fought strongly to regain it. Every post came under heavy bombardment from mortars and machine-guns, but undeterred, Lieutenant Colonel Seagrim moved from one post to another issuing orders and directives until the enemy were completely eradicated
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SEAGRIM, Derek Anthony. (reg No. 1121).
T /Lieutenant Colonel. 7th Battalion. Green Howards. * London Gazetted on 13th May 1943.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 24th September 1903 at Bournemouth, Hampshire.
Died of his wounds on 6th April 1943 in Tunisia.
Memorial on grave at the Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia: Also a Memorial Plaque in the Church at Whissonsett, Norfolk.
Digest of Citation reads: Lieutenant Colonel Seagrim led the Battalion to attack and capture an important objective on the left flank of the Mareth Line, Tunisia on the 20th/21st March, 1943. The defence of the enemy position was extremely strong, protected by a 12 ft wide and 8 ft deep anti-tank ditch surrounded by mines. The moment the attack began it was subjected to very intense artillery, machine gun and mortar fire. Lieutenant Colonel Seagrim placed himself at the head of the Battalion, even though, at that time, they were suffering heavy casualties. He led them through a hail of fire. He was the first man across the scaling ladder, that he'd helped to place himself. Firing his pistol and hurling grenades, he led the assault and personally attacked two machine-gun posts, capturing or killing 20 Germans. At dawn, they were firmly established on the position, against a determined enemy who fought strongly to regain it. Every post came under heavy bombardment from mortars and machine-guns, but undeterred, Lieutenant Colonel Seagrim moved from one post to another issuing orders and directives until the enemy were completely eradicated.
*Princess Alexandra of Wales' Own Yorkshire Regiment.
*Princess Alexandra of Wales' Own Yorkshire Regiment.
Died of his wounds on 6th April 1943 in Tunisia.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at the Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia: Also a Memorial Plaque in the Church at Whissonsett, Norfolk
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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