Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant-Colonel

Unit:

3rd Battalion Irish Guards, 32nd Guards Brigade, Guards Armoured Division, British Army

Awarded on:

December 21st, 1944

Recommendation:
“At MAISONCELLES on 2 August 1944 he carried out a successful attack to clear the village, gaining his objective and subsequently in very confused circumstances and in very close country successfully held off counter attacks by tanks and infantry, including one attack by some 100 infantry on his Battalion HQ, where he personally directed operations, beating off and severely handling the Germans at close range with the personnel of Battalion HQ.
His conduct on this occasion was the greatest possible inspiration to the troops under his command.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Brigadier

Unit:

3rd Battalion Irish Guards, 32nd Guards Brigade, Guards Armoured Division, British Army

Awarded on:

March 1st, 1945

“On 10 September Lieutenant-Colonel VANDELEUR was in command of the Irish Guards battle group consisting of 2nd Armoured Irish Guards and 3rd Battalion Irish Guards. This group with a GRENADIER GUARDS group on its left broke out of the ALBERT CANAL bridgehead between HECHTEL and BOURG LEOPOLD, directed on the MEUSE-ESCAUT junction canal.
Badly held up by boggy and sandy going Lieutenant-Colonel VANDELEUR late in the afternoon was forced to pass his group over the route taken by the GRENADIERS, a very indifferent tract, subsequently rejoining his own axis of advance. Once on it he moved with extreme rapidity, reached the neighbourhood of the canal at OVERPELT and moving Westwards completely surprised the enemy holding the bridge at DE GROOTE BARRIER.
He had ready a party of infantry with sapper assistance to draw the demolition charges in the bridge and this he immediately rushed across under heavy covering fire from tanks. The charges were rendered innocuous, and before the enemy even realised what was happening the Irish Guards armour was streaming over followed by more infantry.
Lieutenant-Colonel VANDELEUR’s drive and initiative in getting not only his tracked vehicles but also his infantry carrying lorries over appalling going, and subsequent speed of his advance when he at last reached a road, alone made the capture of the bridge possible. At the bridge itself his handling of infantry, tanks and sappers in intimate co-operation was a master example of how to force a crossing in the face of opposition.
The feat was one of quite outstanding influence on the course of further operations.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Colonel

Unit:

3rd Battalion Irish Guards, 32nd Guards Brigade, Guards Armoured Division, British Army

Awarded on:

July 18th, 1947

"This officer commanded the IG Group, which captured intact the vital bridge over the ESCAUT CANAL, and then on 17 September 1944 was the first element of 21 Army Group to enter HOLLAND and liberate Dutch territory as far as EINDHOVEN. This advance was fiercely contested by the enemy, and the successful outcome of the operation was largely due to the skilful leadership of this officer."