A Second War 'North Africa operations' C.B.E. group of nine awarded to Brigadier L. F....

A Second War ‘North Africa operations’ C.B.E. group of nine awarded to Brigadier L. F. Heard, Royal Engineers, who was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the French Croix de Guerre for his services in North West Europe, and subsequently served as Aide-de-Camp to H.M. the Queen, 1954-57 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E., (Military) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, in DS & S case of issue; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (Lieut. L. F. Heard. R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1939, with bronze palm on riband, mounted court-style for display, light contact marks, good very fine and better (9) £600-£800 --- C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1943 M.I.D. London Gazette 22 March 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.’ The original Recommendation for the French Croix de Guerre states: ‘This officer has been General Staff Officer First Class at 21 Army Group 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 and execution of the operations for the liberation of France, and he has never failed to give off his best in spite of the pressure of work which has been acute during the period under a view.’ Leonard Ferguson Heard was born on 30 October 1903 and was educated at Shrewsbury School and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 29 August 1923, and saw active service on the North West Frontier of India as a Staff Captain, R.E., attached Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners. Advanced Major on 29 August 1940, he saw further service during the Second World War, both in North Africa, for which services he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and subsequently in command of 23rd Assault Group, Royal Engineers, in North West Europe, for which services he was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the French Croix de Guerre with palm. Promoted Colonel in 1947, and Brigadier in 1949, Heard was appointed Aide-de-Camp to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II on 30 December 1953, relinquishing the appointment on his retirement on 21 April 1957. He was lucky to survive a train crash in 1959 when his car was struck by the Belfast to Londonderry express train at 65 miles per hour, whilst he was driving across an unmanned level crossing; the force of impact somersaulted the diesel engine off the track and derailed several carriages, but remarkably both he and all the passengers on the train survived virtually unscathed. He was subsequently sued by the Ulster Transport Authority. Advanced Honorary Major-General on the Retired List, he was appointed High Sheriff of County Londonderry for the year 1964, and also served as a Justice of the Peace. He died on 8 April 1976. Sold with a photographic image of the recipient, and copied research.