Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A casualty General Service Medal awarded to Private L. Hilliard, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters), who died in a road accident near Jerusalem on 21 June 1947 when his carrier overturned

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (14142455 Pte. L. Hilliard. Foresters.) extremely fine £180-£220

Leslie Hilliard was born in Allenton, Derbyshire, on 25 February 1928, and attested for the Sherwood Foresters on 14 March 1946. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he spent Christmas 1946 with his Regiment in Palestine under the shadow of Mount Carmel, before moving in the New Year as part of 3rd Infantry Brigade to Camp “22”, midway between Tel Aviv and Haifa, and three miles from the Jewish settlement of Nathanya.

The men spent much of March 1947 on night patrol duties code named ‘Operation Elephant’, before transferring to Mount Scopus near Jerusalem at the start of May. Amidst heightened tensions, Hilliard died when his military vehicle overturned whilst on patrol - the accident was later ascribed to the poor road surface. Aged 19 years, he was buried with full military honours at Ramleh War Cemetery.

Sold with copied research which notes 2 further casualties to the Regiment during their tour.