Beschreibung:

A Fine Palestine and WW2 Group of 6 awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Humphrey Patrick Guinness, Royal Scots Greys, a talented International Polo Player, who represented Great Britain and won a silver medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, comprising: General Service Medal, 1918-62, GVIR, single clasp, Palestine (Capt. H. P. Guinness. The Greys), 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, France and Germany Star, Defence and War Medals, 1939-45; the first officially impressed, remainder unnamed as issued, medals mounted as worn on original bar, with reverse pin for wear. Toned, good very fine. (6) Lieutenant Colonel Humphrey Patrick Guinness was born 24 March 1902, at Steyning, Sussex, the son of Lieutenant Colonel Eustace Guinness DSO, who died at Bakenlaagte during the Second Boer War. He was educated at Eton College, and then later at the Royal Military College Sandhurst, before gaining his first commission as a Second Lieutenant with the Royal Scots Greys 1 February 1923. He reached the rank of Captain 1 November 1933, and Major 1 February 1940. The Scots Greys were stationed in Palestine upon the outbreak of war, and were amongst the very last British cavalry units still mounted on horses in January 1940. They were soon fully mechanised and made part of the 8th Armoured Brigade, serving in 1941 with the 8th Army during the North Africa campaign, and initially being given use of Stuart Tanks. It saw its first WW2 combat service in July 1942 at the battles of Alam El Halfa and El Alamein, whilst attached to the 22nd Armoured Brigade of the 7th Armoured Division, where they attacked the German 24th Panzer Division and took part in the annihilation of the Ariete Division. The Scots Greys landed at Salerno, and proceeded towards Naples, where they again played a crucial role in the defeat of the 16th Panzer Division, and were subsequently the first troops to enter Naples itself. After being returned to England, the Scots Greys were re-equipped in time for the D-Day Landings, with their first 3 tanks landing on ‘Juno’ beach 7 June 1944. They took part in the tank battle for Caen, saw action during the ‘Falaise Pocket’ offensive, served in the Low-Countries, and fought at the capture of Bremen and Wismar in early 1945. In terms of Humphrey Guinness’ Polo career, he appears to have ‘arrived’ on the British International scene c.1930, and appears to have become a regular feature in the British side, usually as a back. One newspaper article noted that in June 1935 he was considered ‘the obvious first choice for the side, his magnificent hitting power making him indispensable to any representative English team’. Whilst playing for Hurlingham and the ‘All-England’ side against Westchester in 1936, the high point of his career came in Berlin Olympics that same year, where the British side progressed to the final against Argentina, against whom they were ultimately beaten. Humphrey Guinness retired as Lieutenant Colonel (Hon.) 25 March 1952, but continued representing Hurlingham, being part of the side which took the Coupe d’Or at Deauville in 1955. He died in February 1986 at Trowbridge, Wiltshire. Sold with copied research, London Gazette mentions, regimental insignia, and copy of Palestine roll mention.