George Harold Eardley
George Harold Eardley | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Killer[1] |
| Born | 6 May 1912[2] |
| Died | 11 September 1991 (aged 79)[3] Congleton, Cheshire, England |
| Buried | Macclesfield Cemetery, Macclesfield, Cheshire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Service years | 1940–1950 |
| Rank | Company Sergeant Major |
| Service number | 6092111 |
| Unit | Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) King's Shropshire Light Infantry |
| Conflicts | World War II |
| Awards |
|
| Children | 3[5] |
Company Sergeant Major George Harold Eardley VC, MM (6 May 1912 – 11 September 1991) was a British Army soldier and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Brother of Arnold Eardley and Elgin Eardley.
Biography
Eardley was 32 years old, and an acting sergeant in the 4th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, British Army during the Second World War when he was awarded the VC.
On 16 October 1944, east of Overloon, the Netherlands, Sergeant Eardley's platoon was ordered to clear some orchards where a strong opposition was holding up the advance, but 80 yards (73 m) away from the objective the platoon was halted by automatic fire from machine-gun posts. Sergeant Eardley spotted one of these posts and moving forward under heavy fire killed the occupants at the post with a grenade. He went on to destroy two more posts single-handed, under fire so intense that it daunted those who were with him, but his action enabled the platoon to achieve its objective and thus ensured the success of the whole attack.[6]
He later was appointed company sergeant major (CSM).[7]
In June 1964 Eardley was involved in a car crash, the crash killed his first wife Winfred. Eardley survived the crash, but he had to have a limb amputated.[2]
Following the death of his first wife Winfred, Eardley would later marry Nancy Barnett whom Eardley had dated during his teenage years.[2]
Eardly died on 11 September aged 79, he was survived by his second wife Nancy and one of his children.[2][3]
Eardley was interred at Macclesfield Cemetery in Cheshire.[8]
Medals and Honours
George Harold Eardley VC MM was awarded the following medals:
- Victoria Cross[4]
- Military Medal[4]
- 1939-1945 Star
- France and Germany Star
- Defence Medal
- 1939-1945 Medal
- Croix de Guerre[4]
- Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
- Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
A statue was erected in his home town of Congleton on 18 April 2004.[9]
See also
References
- ^ "When town turned out to welcome home VC hero". Congleton Chronicle. 9 January 2025. p. 19.
- ^ a b c d e "George Eardley, VC". OBITUARIES. The Daily Telegraph. 14 September 1991. p. 15. Retrieved 25 August 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Auther, Max (2005). Symbol of courage The men behind the medal. London: Pan Macmillan LTD. p. 644. ISBN 0330491334.
- ^ a b c d Alcock, Joan P. (30 June 2003). History & Guide Congleton. Stroud: Tempus Publishing Ltd. p. 95. ISBN 0752429469.
- ^ "British Sargeant returns home Congleton (1945)". Gaumont British News. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2024 – via British Pathé on YouTube.
- ^ "No. 36870". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1944. p. 139.
- ^ "George Harold Eardley VC - Lord Ashcroft Medal Collection". Lord Ashcroft Medals. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ "Grave Locations for Holders of the Victoric Cross in the County of Cheshire". victoriacross.org. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
- ^ "Sgt George Eardley Vc". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- John Laffin (1997). British VCs of World War 2.
- David Charles Harvey (1999). Monuments to Courage.
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
Notes
- ^ Source:Photo of Medals awarded to George Harold Eardley at Congleton Museum photo in Awards and Honours section
- ^ Source:Photo of Medals awarded to George Harold Eardley at Congleton Museum photo in Awards and Honours section
- ^ Source:Photo of Medals awarded to George Harold Eardley at Congleton Museum photo in Awards and Honours section
- ^ Source:Photo of Medals awarded to George Harold Eardley at Congleton Museum photo in Awards and Honours section
- ^ Source:Photo of Medals awarded to George Harold Eardley at Congleton Museum photo in Awards and Honours section
- ^ Source:Photo of Medals awarded to George Harold Eardley at Congleton Museum photo in Awards and Honours section
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Cheshire)