Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An impressive and highly unusual Second World War “Operation Diver” B.E.M. group of three awarded to Lance-Corporal Agnes Harradine, Auxiliary Territorial Service, who was decorated for remaining at her post in a tracking tower during a flying bomb attack: ‘although shaken by the blast and knocked against the rail of the tower’ by one such bomb that exploded 100 feet from her position, ‘she directed the tracker onto another flying bomb within 20 seconds’

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (W/105692 L./Cpl. Agnes Harradine, A.T.S.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, very fine and better (3) £700-900

B.E.M. London Gazette 23 March 1945:

‘In recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner’.

The original recommendation states:

‘Lance-Corporal Harradine was on duty on the Tracker Tower at ‘B.7′ when engaging Flying Bombs. One Bomb hit by this Battery exploded in the air close overhead, followed almost immediately by another, which fell 100 feet from the Tower. Although shaken by blast and knocked against the rail of the Tower, Lance Corporal Harradine directed the Tracker onto another Flying Bomb approaching within 20 seconds of the (previous) Bomb bursting near her. Her coolness and courage were outstanding and her example worthy of the highest praise.’

Agnes Harridine, who was from Ayr, was serving as a Radar Tracker Tower Operator attached to 500 Battery, 145th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, at the time of the above cited deeds.

The Signal Corps Radio (S.C.R.) 584 Radar System with automatic gun-laying arrived with Anti-Aircraft Command in June 1944 as part of the belt of defences designed to combat the V1 and V2 flying bomb offensive in South-East England; thus part of the overall anti-V-weapon initiative, “Operation Diver.” At that time, 17% of flying bombs entering the ‘gun belt’ were destroyed but by the end of August the success rate had risen to 82% - thus a rate of one V-1 destroyed for 2,500 shells fired became one V.1 for every hundred.