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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 579

The landmark posthumous George Medal awarded to Sergeant D. J. 'Aaron' Garside, 10th (Volunteer) Battalion, Parachute Regiment, who made the ultimate sacrifice in saving the life of a recruit under his supervision during a live grenade practice in July 1979 - it was the first such occasion a posthumous George Medal was awarded

George Medal, E.II.R. (23913522 Sgt. David J. Garside, Para.), housed in its fitted Royal Mint case of issue, extremely fine

The first posthumous award of the George Medal following the amendment of the Royal Warrant in 1977.

G.M. London Gazette 25 March 1980. The original recommendation - for a Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct (Posthumous) - states:

'On 11th July 1979, during recruit cadre training at Sennybridge, Sergeant Garside, a Territorial Army Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the 10th (Volunteer) Battalion, Parachute Regiment, was supervising live grenade throwing.

During the live grenade throwing an incident took place when a recruit, in the act of preparing to throw a live grenade, allowed the striker level to spring off prematurely, and at the same time appeared to freeze with the grenade in his hand. At this point Sergeant Garside, acting with total disregard for his own safety and with great resource, took preventive action to move the recruit to safety whilst at the same time endeavouring to get him to either throw the grenade or drop it. It was in the course of this action, whilst Sergeant Garside was pushing the recruit to safety that the grenade dropped to the ground and exploded underneath Sergeant Garside.

As a result of the explosion Sergeant Garside sustained fatal injuries and the recruit received superficial injuries. It is clear that Sergeant Garside acted with great coolness and presence of mind, and with complete disregard for his own safety, and in so doing gave his life saving the life of a recruit.

His act was one of great bravery, sacrifice and coolness.'

David John Garside, known as 'Aaron' to his friends, was born on 12 October 1946 at Bombay, India and served with the 10th (Volunteer) Battalion, Parachute Regiment, whilst in civil employmen was a Manager (Motor Accessories) in Basingstoke, Hampshire. Having been mortally wounded in the process of winning his exceptional George Medal, Garside died at Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny the same day.

Sold together with a poignant original archive comprising:

(i)
Six original press photographs of the funeral of the recipient with the Parachute Regiment in attendance.

(ii)
Original Marriage Certificate dated 29 January 1973.

(iii)
Letter from employees, Brown Brothers Limited, of Swindon, Wiltshire, expressing shock at his sudden and tragic death, dated 12 July 1979.

(iv)
Letter from employees, Induction Limited, Basingstoke, expressing sadness at his loss due to the 'dreadful accident', dated 24 July 1979.

(v)
Original Death Certificate dated 1 October 1979.

(vi)
Certificate of Registration of Death dated 5 October 1979.

(vii)
Letters from the Solicitor's Amery-Parkes & Co., dated 11 January & 14 February 1980.


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Estimate
£6,000 to £8,000