{"product_id":"1st-reconnaissance-regiment-wia-1944-4th-7th-dragoon-guards-ww2-medals-sheffield","title":"1st Reconnaissance Regiment WIA 1944 4th\/7th Dragoon Guards WW2 Medals Sheffield","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eSecond World War Medal Group – Corporal Gordon Hoyland, 1\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e Reconnaissance Regiment, later 4\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e\/7\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Dragoon Guards\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e1939-45 Star – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAfrica Star with 1\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e Army clasp – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eItaly Star – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eDefence Medal – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eWar Medal – \u003ci\u003eunnamed as issued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eWith box of issue addressed: \u003cb\u003eMR G. HOYLAND, 83 MANCHESTER ROAD, THURLESTON(E) NR. PENISTONE, SHEFFIELD\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eGordon Hoyland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e was born on \u003cb\u003e18th January 1922 at Hoylandswaine, near Penistone, Yorkshire\u003c\/b\u003e, the son of \u003cb\u003eJoseph Hoyland (1888–1977)\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eMaria Hoyland (née Kilner) (1889–1968)\u003c\/b\u003e. The family lived at \u003cb\u003e83 Manchester Road, Thurlstone, near Penistone, Sheffield\u003c\/b\u003e, an address which would remain associated with him both during and after the war. In civilian life he worked as a \u003cb\u003emachine operator\u003c\/b\u003e, a skilled industrial occupation typical of the West Riding’s engineering and manufacturing districts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFollowing the introduction of wartime conscription, Hoyland enlisted in the \u003cb\u003eBritish Army on 15th January 1942\u003c\/b\u003e, aged 19. His service number was \u003cb\u003e10601721\u003c\/b\u003e. On enlistment he joined the \u003cb\u003eReconnaissance Corps\u003c\/b\u003e, being posted to the \u003cb\u003e1st Battalion, Reconnaissance Corps\u003c\/b\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eHoyland’s early training and home service ran from \u003cb\u003e15 January 1942 until February 1943\u003c\/b\u003e, after which he was posted overseas. His service record shows that he embarked for the \u003cb\u003eNorth African theatre on 27th February 1943\u003c\/b\u003e, where the Reconnaissance Corps was heavily engaged in the later stages of the \u003cb\u003eNorth African Campaign\u003c\/b\u003e, supporting Allied operations as Axis forces were driven from Tunisia in May 1943.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFollowing the conclusion of the campaign in North Africa, Hoyland’s unit moved with Allied forces into the \u003cb\u003eItalian theatre\u003c\/b\u003e. During the gruelling Italian campaign he served in forward reconnaissance duties, operating in difficult mountainous terrain and often under enemy fire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eDuring this service he was \u003cb\u003eWounded in Action in Italy on 7th February 1944\u003c\/b\u003e, an incident recorded in the official \u003cb\u003eWar Office Casualty List No. 1381\u003c\/b\u003e, where he appears as \u003cb\u003eTrooper G. Hoyland, Royal Armoured Corps\u003c\/b\u003e. At the time of the casualty he was serving with the \u003cb\u003e1st Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps\u003c\/b\u003e, which had by then been incorporated into the \u003cb\u003eRoyal Armoured Corps\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eLater in the war Hoyland transferred to the \u003cb\u003e4th\/7th Royal Dragoon Guards\u003c\/b\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eHis service record notes that he received promotion during his time in uniform, eventually attaining the rank of \u003cb\u003eCorporal\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFor his wartime service he was awarded the following campaign medals:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e1939–45 Star\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAfrica Star – 1\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e Army clasp\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eItaly Star\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDefence Medal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWar Medal 1939–1945\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThese awards reflect his overseas operational service in both the \u003cb\u003eNorth African and Italian campaigns\u003c\/b\u003e, two of the principal theatres in which British armoured and reconnaissance units were engaged during the war.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAfter more than five years in uniform, Hoyland was \u003cb\u003ereleased under Class “A” demobilisation on 19th November 1946\u003c\/b\u003e, and formally \u003cb\u003etransferred to the Army Reserve on 25th February 1947\u003c\/b\u003e, bringing his total service to \u003cb\u003efive years and forty-three days\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eReturning to civilian life, he resumed residence in \u003cb\u003ePenistone, Yorkshire\u003c\/b\u003e, where he married \u003cb\u003eJoan Denton in 1952\u003c\/b\u003e. The couple later lived in the \u003cb\u003eHuddersfield area\u003c\/b\u003e, remaining within the West Riding communities where Hoyland had grown up.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eGordon Hoyland died on 24th August 1996 at Huddersfield, Yorkshire\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e, aged 74, and was buried at \u003cb\u003eDenby Dale, West Yorkshire\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eHis wartime service file survives and is available via \u003cb\u003eAncestry\u003c\/b\u003e, providing detailed documentation of his enlistment, postings, promotions and casualty record, as well as several surviving photographs relating to his military service.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003ePLEASE 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAJMS Medals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AJMS Medals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54436353737050,"sku":null,"price":190.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/9850\/1466\/files\/20260316_110115.png?v=1784231523","url":"https:\/\/ajms-medals.com\/products\/1st-reconnaissance-regiment-wia-1944-4th-7th-dragoon-guards-ww2-medals-sheffield","provider":"AJMS Medals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}