Buchanan-Jardine, Andrew Rupert John, 4th Baronet

Peerage of the United Kingdom

Date of birth:: February 2nd, 1923 (London, United Kingdom)
Date of death:: August 24th, 2010
Service number:: 237577
Nationality:: British

Biography

Promotions:
4 July, 1942: 2nd Lieutenant Royal Household Cavalry
? Lieutenant (war sub)
9 January, 1946: Lieutenant
10 June, 1949: commission resigned, granted honorory rank of Major

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Military Cross (MC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: 2nd Household Cavalry Regiment, VIII Corps, British Army
Awarded on:: March 1st, 1945
Awarded for:: Operation Market Garden

Citation:
"On 11 Sep 44, Lieut JARDINE with his Tp was ordered to recce VALKENSVAARD from the Br head over the ESCAUT canal at DE GROOTE BARRIER.
He was held up a mile from the bridgehead by enemy inf with 'panzerfaust'. After observing for sometime he decided to charge through with two scout cars. He advanced for about five miles to just short of VALKENSVAART where the patrol was held up by a tank.
He remained in observation for half an hour gaining valuable information. A civilian reported enemy in some strength to his rear. He decided to make a dash for his own lines. He reached his own lines coming through very heavy fire and running the gauntlet of an enemy A. Tk. gun. This patrol the first into holland obtained valuable information and was carried through successfully by the dash and coolnes of Lieut BUCHANAN JARDINE."

Bronzen Leeuw (BL)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Captain
Unit:: 2nd Household Cavalry Regiment, VIII Corps, British Army
Awarded for:: Operation Market Garden

Recommendation:
He has distinguished himself by especially courageous and tactful deeds in combat against the enemy by having driven straight through enemy lines on September 12, 1944 with two reconnaissance vehicles along the highway from Belgium in a most audacious manner to check if the bridge south of Valkenswaard, more than 6 miles behind enemy lines, was still intact.
After having assessed the situation quickly and having passed on this information by radio, important to the command, for having returned immediately along the same road past enemy positions.
Furthermore for having attacked the enemy from the rear with his unit north of Eibergen and having opened the passage in a fierce fight.

Royal Decree dated February 4, 1947

War Diary mentions

11 September 1944 WO 171/837 - 2 Household Cavalry
D Sqn at first light pushed patrols over the ESCAUT canal. Meanwhile just SOUTH of the canal a counter attack developed by 3 German SP guns and some inf who were cut off. D Sqn HQ became involved and in the morning mist Major Ward's Staghound was embroiled with a Panther at a range some 100-150 yds. Eventually some British tanks worked round the flank and shot the Panther up. The tps pushing up towards VALKENSWAARDE and EINDHOVEN met enemy inf with Bazookas. Eventually Lieut Jardine with two scout cars made a dash down the main road – he got within a mile of VALKENSWAARDE having encountered 1 tank and 1 anti tank gun and some inf and gained very valuable infm. A Sqn watched the left frank towards LOMMEL – B Sqn remained with 55 Fd Regt – C Sqn and Div HQ moved up just WEST of HECHTEL which still held out. C Sqn sent patrols to watch the exits from HECHTEL and in the evening protected Div HQ.

1 December 1944 WO 171/837 - 2 Household Cavalry
F.M. Montgomery held an investiture at HQ Gds Armd Div GANGELT and the following members of 2 HCR were decorated: MC: Major E.J.S. Ward - Major A.W.P.P. Herbert - Capt R. Wrottesley - Lieut A.J.R. Buchanan Jardine - Lieut F.W Groeninx Van Zoalen - Lieut T.Hanbury - Lieut A.V.Young DCM: C of H Thompson MM: Cpl Brooks L.G. Band played at the investiture which was thus quite a Household Cavalry party.

Sources

- ERIK MÜLLER, De Bronzen Leeuw.
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35629/page/3086
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36961/supplement/1173