Brian Crozier “Springer; also recorded as Brian; also recorded as V. C., #233482” Springford
Sergeant · #323482 · Y2 Patrol · MM
| Rank | Sergeant |
|---|---|
| Service number | #323482 |
| Patrol | Y2 Patrol |
| Regiment | Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps |
| Known as | “Springer; also recorded as Brian; also recorded as V. C., #233482” |
| Honours | MM |
What this roll records
The roll formerly carried this man twice, as “Springford, Brian Crozier” with service number 323482 and as “Springford, V. C.” with 233482. THE TWO NUMBERS ARE THE SAME SIX DIGITS WITH THE FIRST TWO TRANSPOSED, which is the commonest way a number goes wrong in a hand-copied roll, and the V. C. entry carried nothing else at all — no rank, no patrol, no source beyond its own listing. The two were merged in August 2026, keeping this entry, which carries the patrol, the Military Medal and his photograph. THE DOUBT IS NOT PRETENDED AWAY. The initials do not agree: B. C. against V. C. The collection’s photograph of him is filed as “B.C. or V C Springford Y Patrol”, so whoever captioned it was uncertain in the same way. The discarded form and its number are recorded here so that anyone who knows him as V. C. Springford, or by 233482, still finds him.
Y Patrol CONFIRMED: "Tpr B.C. Springford" at Y Patrol F30 Aramis. NOTE possible duplicate row "Springford V.C. #233482" (transposed number of #323482). Brendan O'Carroll, "The Long Range Desert Group in North Africa".
Honours added from LRDG Honours & Awards list (Middle East 1940–43): MM. Source: W.B. Kennedy-Shaw, “Long Range Desert Group” (original honours & awards list, comp. D. Buxton).
HIS MILITARY MEDAL, CONFIRMED AND DATED. London Gazette, 12 October 1943, Supplement 36209, the award heading on page 4546 and the entry on page 4547: “No. 323482 Lance-Sergeant Brian Crozier Springford, Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps.” It gives his forenames in full and names his regiment, neither of which this card held. Source: The London Gazette.
*** THE SERVICE NUMBER ON THIS CARD BELONGS TO ANOTHER MAN. *** London Gazette, 13 July 1943, Supplement 36095, page 3228: “ARMY EDUCATIONAL CORPS. War Subs. Lt. T. C. Cradock (233482).” AND NOTE THIS: 233482 and 323482 — the number of Brian Springford, whose Military Medal is confirmed on this roll — are the same six digits with the first two swapped. Either this is a transposed duplicate of Brian Springford, or a separate man whose number was mistranscribed. A name search of the Cenotaph and the Gazette returns no wartime Springford other than Brian. Nothing has been merged or changed; the question is recorded so that whoever has O’Carroll or the LRDG Preservation Society’s Troopers roll to hand can settle it. Source: The London Gazette.
See him in the full roll →Where this comes from
- Missing info added from the LRDG Preservation Society’s Troopers roll.
- AKA added from the LRDG Preservation Society’s Troopers roll (missing information).
- Listed in the LRDG Preservation Society’s Troopers roll.
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Not By Strength But By Guile