Major Dick Hargreaves MC
Major and Mrs Richard Hargreaves
Major Richard Hargreaves in 2016. Credit

Richard S Hargreaves MC

1976 - 1977

Major Richard (Dick) Hargreaves MC (1919-2019) served as Adjutant and a Company Commander in the 4th Parachute Battalion during World War II. He was the first British soldier to be awarded a gallantry medal in the Italian campaign when he was awarded the Military Cross for leading an attack on German forces holding Laterza Bridge in Italy in 1943.

Dick's parents were hoteliers. After leaving school he began work waiting on tables at the Berkeley Hotel, learning French and working in the kitchens. After the war a successful business career included appointments as a Director of Gallaher Group, a main board Director of the Savoy Hotel Group, a non executive Director of Reid's Hotel in Madeira, Chairman of the Lygon Arms Hotel in Broadway and Chairman of West Country brewers, J A Devenish. He also served as a City of Westminster Councillor, becoming Deputy Lord Mayor in 1977. He was Chairman of the Joseph Weld Hospice for twelve years.

Dick Hargreaves was made a Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur in 2005, in recognition of his role in helping to liberate southern France in August 1944.

He was also awarded a Long Service Medal for his service in the Special Constabulary, serving from 1958 and 1970 and ending as Chief Inspector of the Surrey force.

Born in 1919 he died just a few week short of his 100th birthday in 2019.