Please note – some people may find this object upsetting. We recommend that you don’t share it with children under the age of 14.
Broken Sunglasses belonging to Victoria Cross recipient Derek Seagrim
The Green Howards Museum, Richmond, North Yorkshire
This pair of broken sunglasses, part of the collection at The Green Howards Museum in North Yorkshire, help staff at the museum to tell the story of Derek Anthony Seagrim.
The sunglasses were with Seagrim in Tunisia on the day in March 1943 when his actions resulted in him being awarded the Victoria Cross – a medal recognised as the most prestigious in the British Army. From the state of the sunglasses, we get a glimpse of the violence experienced that day. Tragically, Seagrim lost his life some days later as a result of injuries sustained. The glasses were picked up by his ‘batman’ – a personal assistant – and later donated to the museum.
Derek Seagrim was born in 1903 in Barton on Humber in Lincolnshire. The family soon moved to Norfolk when his father, Reverend Charles Seagrim, became the vicar of the village of Whissonsett and Seagrim grew up in the county, attending Norwich school.
In 1923, he was commissioned into the Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) and was still serving when the Second World War broke out.
Derek Seagrim’s role in the North African Campaign
In 1943, Seagrim was made commander of the 7th Battalion and stationed in Tunisia, North Africa.
Control of North Africa was seen as vital for both the Allies and the Axis powers, giving command over the Mediterranean Sea and access to oil supplies from the Middle East. Securing Tunisia eventually allowed the Allies to plan and launch further campaigns, including the invasion of Italy and mainland Europe.
As a Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 7th Battalion, in March 1943 Seagrim led a critical attack on a strongly fortified German base on the ‘Mareth Line’, a defended fortification about two miles long. They came up against heavy opposition, including machine guns and artillery. Seagrim led the battalion from the front, sustaining multiple injuries and personally taking out two enemy machine gun posts.
Seagrim’s immense courage and leadership were seen as instrumental in the success of their attack, though it came with a cost of life. Six months later, his brother Hugh Seagrim tragically lost his life after being captured by Japanese forces. He received the George Cross posthumously for bravery.
Talking Points
Why do you think Seagrim’s batman kept his sunglasses? Why do you think they have been kept at the museum?
Why do you think objects like this are important for helping us to talk about events from war?
Do the sunglasses look different from or similar to a pair you might wear today?
Have you ever kept something that was broken? Why?
What other items of uniform do you think members of the 7th battalion might have had to help stay comfortable in the hot climate?

Video coming soon…
Hands on History
Visit The Green Howards Museum to find out more about 300 years of conflict, told across 35,000 artefacts. School groups can also take part in a range of workshops at the museum, including ‘A War of Words: writing and conflict’ and ‘Remembrance: All Faiths and None’.
Museum Location