Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War C.B.E., D.S.O. group of twelve awarded to Brigadier W. H. Crosland, Hon. Colonel of the Berkshire Yeomanry, Commanding 9th Army Group Royal Artillery in North West Europe

The Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) 2nd type neck badge; Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., the reverse of the lower suspension bar officially dated 1945; 1914-15 Star (2.Lieut., Berks. Yeo.) British War and Victory Medals, with copy M.I.D. oak leaf (Major); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953; Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., with four G.VI.R. long service bars, generally nearly extremely fine (12) £1400-1600

C.B.E (Military) London Gazette 29 March 1945. The following recommendation was extracted from official records: ‘Brigadier Crosland has commanded 9 AGRA within First Canadian Army since its inception. The fire support he has produced for both 1 British Corps and 2 Canadian Corps has at all times been magnificent and the moves of his formation from one corps to another have always been conducted with great efficiency and speed under trying circumstances and on occasions when speed was essential. This officer has had no rest since the commencement of operations and has been under considerable enemy fire both from bombing and artillery fire particularly in front of CAEN and during the battle for Le Havre. During this period of time, despite disrupted communications and a HQ operating under extreme difficulties, Brigadier Crosland always remained cool and working with great efficiency always managed to bring his fire under control with little or no delay.’

D.S.O. London Gazette 21 June 1945. The following recommendation was extracted from official records: ‘Brigadier Crosland has displayed the highest qualities of command throughout operations in NW EUROPE. Under his direction 9 AGRA supported with the greatest success the operations in S BEVLAND, West of VENLO and North of SITTARD. By the deployment of his guns on the most forward positions, often almost uncovered by our own ground troops, he has been able to reach deep into the enemy’s positions with great effect, and thus materially neutralise the enemy’s countermeasures. His personal character when under fire has been an example to all.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 5 July 1919: A./Major, Berkshire Yeomanry (T.F.), Seconded to 101st Bn., M.G.C.

Walter Hugh Crosland was born in Berkshire in 1894, and educated at Malvern College. He joined the Berkshire Yeomanry in 1914 and served with them throughout the Great War, being torpedoed in the Mediterranean. He continued to serve his regiment, and at the outbreak of the Second World War he was in command. He was appointed to command R.A. 76th Infantry Division, 1942-43, and subsequently to the command of 9th Army Group R.A., serving with 21 Army Group during the European Campaign. After the war he retained his interest in military affairs, becoming Honorary Colonel of the Berkshire Yeomanry in 1953, chairman of the Eastern Region Royal Artillery Association, and was for a few years Colonel Commandant of the Army Cadet Force. He also served the county of Hertfordshire as a J.P., Deputy Lieutenant, and High Sherrif, and was a Commander of the Order of St John. Brigadier Crosland died on 14 October 1960