WW2 British Army medal group to Brigadier Heard C.B.E., M.I.D. Croix de Guerre, who was involved in the planning of Operation Torch and D-Day CO 23rd Assault Group R.E. France and Germany. Post war Aide-de-Camp to the Queen, High Sheriff Londonderry

WW2 British Army medal group to Brigadier Leonard Ferguson Heard C.B.E., M.I.D. and Croix de Guerre, who was involved in the planning of Operation Torch and ‘D-Day’ and commanded the 23rd Assault Group Royal Engineers in France and Germany. Post war he was the Aide-de-Camp to Queen Elizabeth and later the High Sheriff of Londonderry. Commander of the Most Excellent Order (C.B.E.) in original case.; India General Service Medal (G.V.R.) with clasp NORTH WEST FRONTIER 1930 – 31, impressed named LIEUT. L.F. HEARD. R.E., 1939 – 45 Star, Africa Star with clasp 1st ARMY, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal (1939 – 45), War Medal (1939 – 45) with M.I.D. device affixed to the ribbon, 1953 Coronation Medal, French Croix de Guerre with Palm. Court mounted for display with copy newspaper articles, photo, medal roll, Who’s Who 1964 extract, London Gazettes, French Croix de Guerre citation and research. C.B.E. London Gazette, 1/1/1943. It is believed to be for his part in Operation Torch. French Croix de Guerre with Palm 1944. H.Q 21st Army Group, citation: ‘This officer has been GSO1 (SD) at this Headquarters since its formation. He is an extremely capable Staff Officer with a unique knowledge of Staff duties and of the organisation of the Army. His services have been extremely valuable during the planning for the liberation of France, and he has never failed to give his best in spite of the pressure of work which has been acute during the period under review’. Mention in Despatches. London Gazette 22/3/1945. Brigadier Leonard Ferguson Heard C.B.E. was born on 30/10/1903 in Londonderry, Ireland. His father being Lt. Colonel Samuel Ferguson Heard. He attended the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1923. Promoted to Captain in 1934, Major in 1940, Lt. Colonel in 1942, Colonel in 1947, Brigadier in 1949. He was awarded the India General Service Medal (G.V.R.) with clasp North West Frontier 1930 – 31, at the time he was serving as a Staff Captain with the Royal Engineers. During WW2 he was the commander of the 23rd Assault Group. Royal Engineers. Post war he continued to serve and was the Aide-de-Camp to the Queen from 1954 – 57. He was lucky to survive a train crash in 1959 when his car was struck by the Belfast – Derry express train at 65 miles per hour. He was driving across an unmanned level crossing at the time. The force of impact somersaulted the diesel engine off the track and derailed several carriages, he survived virtually unscathed, bar shock and minor cuts, and abrasions. His car was pushed 44ft along the track in a crushed wrecked state. The Ulster Transport Authority successfully sued him for 27,750 G.B.P. in 1962. He was appointed as the High Sheriff of Londonderry in 1964 and appears on the retired list dated 1967. He died on 9/4/1976 in Magilligan, Londonderry.