Hugh Seagrim

Major Hugh Paul Seagrim GC DSO MBE (1909–1944) (also known as "Grandfather Longlegs") was a famous leader of Karen rebels, fighting Japanese invaders in Burma during the Second World War.

His brother was Derek Anthony Seagrim VC. He and his brother have the distinction of being the only siblings awarded the Victoria Cross and the George Cross (both posthumously).

Life
Seagrim was born in Ashmansworth, Hampshire, England. in 1909. He graduated from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and joined the British Indian Army, becoming an officer in the 19th Hyderabad Regiment. He was later seconded to the 20th Burma Rifles with the temporary rank of Major, becoming an expert in several Burmese languages. When the Japanese invaded Burma, he was given the task of raising irregular guerrilla forces from the Karens and other groups.

The British were driven from Burma by May, 1942, and Seagrim and his force were isolated for a long time. Eventually, Force 136 dropped agents and wireless operators who made contact with his guerrillas in October, 1943.

Seagrim led Karens in a campaign of sabotage against the occupation. His force enjoyed much support from Karen civilians despite a series of brutal Japanese reprisal killings against Karen villages. His force was gradually wiped out by a concentrated Japanese manhunt. To prevent further bloodshed Seagrim surrendered himself to the Japanese forces on 15 March 1944.

He and eight of his Karen companions were executed by the Japanese on 22 September in Rangoon. For gallantry under captivity, he was posthumously awarded the George Cross in 1946.

George Cross citation
Seagrim's George Cross citation appeared in the London Gazette on 12 September 1946: