A WW1 & WW2 Royal Navy D-Day ‘Operation Overlord’ M.I.D, & Possible Dieppe Raid Medal Group awarded to J.90188 Telegraphist R. L. Maguire (1534)

M.I.D. London Gazette 13 March 1945. The original recommendation, as part of the Op Overlord awards, states:

'This rating is in charge of the W/T Office and W/T communications in Locust, which, as an Headquarters Ship, are many and varied, and maintained at a very high state of efficiency. His unflagging zeal during the whole period 6th June to 3rd August, was directly responsible for the success of the W/T communications of the many small craft attached to Locust. A very patient and conscientious worker during a period when hours were long and rest scarce.'

Robert Leslie Maguire was born at Partington, Yorkshire on 12 January 1903 and was a Greenwich School Boy upon his serving in the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class from 13 June 1918 at Ganges - earning a single British War Medal for his troubles. He was released ashore from Despatch in January 1933.

Recalled in July 1939, he joined Shropshire in May 1941, the vessel earning the Battle Honours "Atlantic 1941" and "Arctic 1941" in the process.

Sometime after he joined the Locust, which played a pivotal role in Operation Jubilee, the Dieppe Raid in August 1942. During that, she was part of the "Cutting Out Force" that was to seize barges and trawlers and tow them back to England. She carried about 200 Royal Marine Commandos into action.

Either way, he was certainly present for her actions during the Normandy landings. On D-Day, she was charged to bombard coastal objectives off Sword Beach, as head of the Assault Group S.1. The indomitable Maguire more than played his part and was discharged from the Coastal Forces Base Badger in November 1945 - perhaps having seen active service in the 'Spitfires of the Seas' before War's end. It is noted a duplicate BWM was issued in May 1941.

The medals are mounted for display, sold with copied research, and are as follows –

British War Medal 1914-20 (J. 90188 R. L. Maguire. Boy 2. R.N.); 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (J.90188 (Ch. B. 22625) R. J. Maguire. Tel. R.F.R.)

Condition, Very Fine