Second World War Medal Group – Corporal Gordon Hoyland, 1st Reconnaissance Regiment, later 4th/7th Dragoon Guards
1939-45 Star – unnamed as issued
Africa Star with 1st Army clasp – unnamed as issued
Italy Star – unnamed as issued
Defence Medal – unnamed as issued
War Medal – unnamed as issued
With box of issue addressed: MR G. HOYLAND, 83 MANCHESTER ROAD, THURLESTON(E) NR. PENISTONE, SHEFFIELD
Gordon Hoyland was born on 18th January 1922 at Hoylandswaine, near Penistone, Yorkshire, the son of Joseph Hoyland (1888–1977) and Maria Hoyland (née Kilner) (1889–1968). The family lived at 83 Manchester Road, Thurlstone, near Penistone, Sheffield, an address which would remain associated with him both during and after the war. In civilian life he worked as a machine operator, a skilled industrial occupation typical of the West Riding’s engineering and manufacturing districts.
Following the introduction of wartime conscription, Hoyland enlisted in the British Army on 15th January 1942, aged 19. His service number was 10601721. On enlistment he joined the Reconnaissance Corps, being posted to the 1st Battalion, Reconnaissance Corps, a unit responsible for scouting ahead of infantry formations and gathering intelligence on enemy positions. These reconnaissance units operated lightly equipped armoured cars, carriers, and motorcycles, often undertaking hazardous patrols ahead of the main force.
Hoyland’s early training and home service ran from 15 January 1942 until February 1943, after which he was posted overseas. His service record shows that he embarked for the North African theatre on 27th February 1943, where the Reconnaissance Corps was heavily engaged in the later stages of the North African Campaign, supporting Allied operations as Axis forces were driven from Tunisia in May 1943.
Following the conclusion of the campaign in North Africa, Hoyland’s unit moved with Allied forces into the Italian theatre. During the gruelling Italian campaign he served in forward reconnaissance duties, operating in difficult mountainous terrain and often under enemy fire.
During this service he was Wounded in Action in Italy on 7th February 1944, an incident recorded in the official War Office Casualty List No. 1381, where he appears as Trooper G. Hoyland, Royal Armoured Corps. At the time of the casualty he was serving with the 1st Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps, which had by then been incorporated into the Royal Armoured Corps.
Later in the war Hoyland transferred to the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, an armoured regiment of the Royal Armoured Corps which saw extensive service in the Italian campaign as part of the Allied armoured forces operating alongside British and Commonwealth infantry divisions.
His service record notes that he received promotion during his time in uniform, eventually attaining the rank of Corporal.
For his wartime service he was awarded the following campaign medals:
1939–45 Star
Africa Star – 1st Army clasp
Italy Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939–1945
These awards reflect his overseas operational service in both the North African and Italian campaigns, two of the principal theatres in which British armoured and reconnaissance units were engaged during the war.
After more than five years in uniform, Hoyland was released under Class “A” demobilisation on 19th November 1946, and formally transferred to the Army Reserve on 25th February 1947, bringing his total service to five years and forty-three days.
Returning to civilian life, he resumed residence in Penistone, Yorkshire, where he married Joan Denton in 1952. The couple later lived in the Huddersfield area, remaining within the West Riding communities where Hoyland had grown up.
Gordon Hoyland died on 24th August 1996 at Huddersfield, Yorkshire, aged 74, and was buried at Denby Dale, West Yorkshire.
His wartime service file survives and is available via Ancestry, providing detailed documentation of his enlistment, postings, promotions and casualty record, as well as several surviving photographs relating to his military service.
PLEASE NOTE: All research will be sent to the buyer via email. I am unable to provide printed copies, as I do not have access to a printer.
AJMS Medals