Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Civil Division’ B.E.M. group of four awarded to G. R. Hardacre, Post Office Overseer, late Sapper, Royal Engineers

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (George Robert Hardacre); 1914-15 Star (83200 Spr: G. R. Hardacre. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (83200 Spr. G. R. Hardacre. R.E.) very fine (4) £200-£240

B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1941: George Robert Hardacre, Overseer, Heard Post Officer, Carnforth, Lancashire.

George Robert Hardacre was born and raised in Carnforth and attended Lancaster Royal Grammar School. Attesting for the Royal Engineers he served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 7 November 1915. He had joined the Postal Service in 1910 and by 1941, was Overseer, at Carnforth. He served in the Home Guard in the Second World War.

A press cutting from the Lancaster Guardian of 3 January 1941 refers to his postal career on the occasion of the award of the B.E.M. and refers to his ‘brilliant organisation of postal deliveries and collections during the great blizzard of January, 1940’; the commentary also refers to him personally making deliveries through seven foot snowdrifts.