{"product_id":"84th-searchlight-regiment-royal-artillery-battery-sergeant-major-ww2-medal-group","title":"84th Searchlight Regiment Royal Artillery Battery Sergeant Major WW2 Medal Group","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 – Battery Sergeant Major Richard McAlroy, 84th Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery\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;\"\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;\"\u003eTerritorial Efficiency Medal \u003cb\u003e– 2029582 W.O.CL.II. R. MCALROY. R.A.\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;\"\u003eRichard McAlroy\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\u003e22 April 1899\u003c\/b\u003e at \u003cb\u003eSouth Shields, County Durham\u003c\/b\u003e, the son of \u003cb\u003ePhilip McAlroy\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eAnnie Hunter\u003c\/b\u003e. The 1921 Census records him aged \u003cb\u003e22\u003c\/b\u003e, residing with his widowed mother and siblings in South Shields, and employed as a \u003cb\u003ewagon lad above ground at St Hilda Colliery\u003c\/b\u003e, firmly placing him within the industrial coal-mining community of the area. He later married \u003cb\u003eCelestia Amelia Embleton\u003c\/b\u003e in \u003cb\u003e1928\u003c\/b\u003e, and remained in South Shields throughout his life, dying there in \u003cb\u003eApril 1973\u003c\/b\u003e, aged \u003cb\u003e73\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;\"\u003eHe served in the \u003cb\u003eRoyal Artillery\u003c\/b\u003e, holding the service number \u003cb\u003e2029582\u003c\/b\u003e, and was a member of the \u003cb\u003e84th Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery (Territorial Army)\u003c\/b\u003e. His confirmed rank was \u003cb\u003eBattery Sergeant Major\u003c\/b\u003e, a senior Non-Commissioned Officer appointment, further supported by records showing entitlement to the \u003cb\u003eLong Service and Good Conduct Medal\u003c\/b\u003e with rank noted as \u003cb\u003eWarrant Officer Class II\u003c\/b\u003e—the equivalent rank associated with a Battery Sergeant Major in the Royal Artillery. This clearly indicates long and reliable service, likely extending into the pre-war Territorial Army.\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;\"\u003eThe \u003cb\u003e84th Searchlight Regiment\u003c\/b\u003e was formed on \u003cb\u003e20 December 1940 at Hereford\u003c\/b\u003e during the rapid expansion of Britain’s air defences in response to the German bombing campaign known as \u003cb\u003eThe Blitz\u003c\/b\u003e. The regiment comprised four batteries—\u003cb\u003e512, 517, 518 and 519\u003c\/b\u003e—and was assigned to \u003cb\u003eAnti-Aircraft Command\u003c\/b\u003e, tasked with defending key industrial and port areas in the \u003cb\u003eHumber region and North Midlands of England\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;\"\u003eMcAlroy’s service in this unit placed him directly within Britain’s critical home defence network. Searchlight regiments performed a vital role during night air raids, operating powerful searchlights to \u003cb\u003elocate, track, and illuminate enemy aircraft\u003c\/b\u003e, allowing \u003cb\u003eHeavy Anti-Aircraft guns and RAF night fighters\u003c\/b\u003e to engage them. At the time, this work was carried out under dangerous and demanding conditions, often during sustained bombing attacks.\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;\"\u003eBy early \u003cb\u003e1941\u003c\/b\u003e, the regiment was operational as the Blitz reached its height. Initially, many of its batteries were inexperienced and deployed alongside seasoned units to gain practical experience, reflecting the urgency with which these formations had been raised.\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;\"\u003eThe regiment saw particularly intense activity during the \u003cb\u003eHull Blitz\u003c\/b\u003e, one of the most severe bombing campaigns outside London. Between \u003cb\u003eMarch and May 1941\u003c\/b\u003e, the city of Hull and surrounding Humber region were subjected to repeated night raids, including major attacks between \u003cb\u003e3rd and 9th May\u003c\/b\u003e, during which widespread fires, destruction, and heavy civilian casualties were recorded. German aircraft frequently used \u003cb\u003eparachute mines\u003c\/b\u003e, causing extensive blast damage across the city. Searchlight units such as McAlroy’s played a key role in illuminating these raiders, contributing directly to aircraft being shot down by anti-aircraft guns and night fighters.\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;\"\u003eAt this stage of the war, searchlights were deployed in \u003cb\u003eclusters of three\u003c\/b\u003e, spaced widely apart in an effort to maximise the chance of detecting aircraft. As the war progressed, the introduction of \u003cb\u003eSearchlight Control (SLC) radar\u003c\/b\u003e allowed for more effective single-light deployments, improving coordination with RAF fighter interception.\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;\"\u003eEven after the main phase of the Blitz, the Humber remained a target for continued \u003cb\u003eminelaying and nuisance raids\u003c\/b\u003e, with searchlight units tasked with detecting aircraft attempting to disrupt shipping routes. The regiment also operated specialised arrangements such as temporary \u003cb\u003e‘Firework’ batteries\u003c\/b\u003e to counter aerial mining operations and experimental \u003cb\u003e‘Dazzle Barrage’ systems\u003c\/b\u003e designed to confuse enemy pilots during attacks.\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;\"\u003eBy \u003cb\u003e1942\u003c\/b\u003e, the regiment was widely dispersed across \u003cb\u003eLincolnshire, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and surrounding areas\u003c\/b\u003e, protecting key industrial centres and airfields. During this period, McAlroy, as a \u003cb\u003eBattery Sergeant Major\u003c\/b\u003e, would have held significant responsibility for the discipline, administration, and operational efficiency of his battery, overseeing the men operating the searchlights and associated equipment.\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;\"\u003eHe was \u003cb\u003edischarged on 22 November 1942\u003c\/b\u003e, prior to the eventual disbandment of the regiment in \u003cb\u003eOctober 1943\u003c\/b\u003e, when Anti-Aircraft Command was reduced as the Luftwaffe threat diminished and manpower was redirected towards offensive operations in preparation for the invasion of Europe.\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 his service, McAlroy applied for his campaign medals, with his entitlement confirmed as the \u003cb\u003e1939–45 Star\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eDefence Medal\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003eWar Medal 1939–1945\u003c\/b\u003e, reflecting his service within the United Kingdom in an operational air defence role. His application, dated \u003cb\u003e1949\u003c\/b\u003e, records his address as \u003cb\u003e185 King George Road, South Shields\u003c\/b\u003e, indicating he returned to civilian life in his home town following 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;\"\u003eOverall, McAlroy’s service represents that of a \u003cb\u003esenior Territorial Army NCO\u003c\/b\u003e who served during the most critical period of Britain’s air defence, contributing to the protection of heavily targeted industrial regions during the Blitz. His confirmed rank of \u003cb\u003eBattery Sergeant Major\u003c\/b\u003e, combined with his award of the \u003cb\u003eLong Service and Good Conduct Medal\u003c\/b\u003e, reflects a soldier of experience, reliability, and responsibility within the Royal Artillery’s anti-aircraft forces.\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;\"\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\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\"\u003e\u003cbr clear=\"all\" style=\"mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;\"\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","brand":"AJMS Medals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54436347216218,"sku":null,"price":95.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/9850\/1466\/files\/20260421_180732.png?v=1784230354","url":"https:\/\/ajms-medals.com\/products\/84th-searchlight-regiment-royal-artillery-battery-sergeant-major-ww2-medal-group","provider":"AJMS Medals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}