Falklands hero daughter makes desperate bid to buy his medals
Jay Hyron is selling her late husband's bravery medal for some £60,000
The daughter and widow of a Falklands War hero are embroiled in a furious battle over an attempt to sell his Victoria Cross medal.
Lance Corporal Gary 'Gaz' Bingley was killed during the Battle of Goose Green as he charged at an Argentine machine gun bunker during the 40-hour siege.
The paratrooper, who was 24 at the time, was posthumously awarded the Military Medal in recognition of his heroic action which was 'instrumental' in defeating the enemy.
His widow Jay Hyron last week announced she would be selling his bravery medal among other lots for some £60,000 to 'allow his story to be told to a wider audience'.
However her estranged daughter Zoe Bingley-McKay, 39, who is based in Brisbane, Australia, found out about the sale and has now launched a desperate bid to raise the money needed to buy the medals and pass them on to her own son.
On her GoFundMe page, Mrs Bingley-McKay wrote: 'I have been estranged from my mother for many years sadly.
'Today I found out that in a few days she is selling my dads medals at public auction. I truly know in my heart, as do many who knew him, that he would have wanted those medals to stay within his family.
'I would love to pass them onto my son one day. He is my hero and a hero of the United Kingdom.'
Zoe Bingley-Mckay has now set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to buy her father's army medals
LCpl Bingley, from Muswell Hill, north London, joined the army aged 17 and did several tours in Northern Ireland before his Falklands call up
LCpl Bingley's medal group consists of his Military Medal, Northern Ireland Medal, South Atlantic 1982 Medal and General Service Medal
From left: The Military Medal, The GSM (General Service Medal, with Northern Ireland clasp), and the South Atlantic Medal
LANCE CORPORAL GARY 'GAZ' BINGLEY AND THE BATTLE OF GOOSE GREEN LCpl Bingley, from Muswell Hill, north London, joined the army aged 17 and did several tours in Northern Ireland before his Falklands call up. The Goose Green offensive was crucial as it took place the same week Argentine bombers had destroyed four Royal Navy ships and badly damaged five others. LCpl Bingley was in D Company of the 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, which was halted at Coronation Ridge during the battle. LCpl Bingley and Private Barry Grayling darted out from under cover to charge the enemy machine gun nest which was holding up the advance. Both were hit some 10 yards from the machine gun post, but shot two of the enemy before collapsing. LCpl Grayling, who was shot in the hip, survived, but LCpl Bingley died instantly and was recovered by medic Lance Corporal Martin Bentley. LCpl Bentley later said: 'Gaz was the first of our dead to be recovered. 'They had been making a frontal charge on an Argie machine-gun post. 'Grayling was hit at close range in his water bottle - it exploded shattering his hip. As Grayling collapsed, still firing, they silenced the Argie machine gunner. 'But as fate would have it the last few rounds squeezed off by the Argie gunner ripped through Gaz Bingley's head, killing him instantly. 'As daylight approached, we started to search for those of 'D' Coy still missing. Padre Cooper called me over, he had found Gaz Bingley. 'Gaz had been shot through the head. I helped Padre carry Gaz back to the RAP (away from the front line) in a poncho. 'I will never forget that short walk, his head kept banging against my knee - it was a moving moment for everyone.' Another comrade said afterwards: 'Gaz set the tone for how we fought our war. 'His bravery and determination showed us the way forward and showed the Argies what they were up against. A true airborne warrior.'
LCpl Bingley's medal group consists of his Military Medal, Northern Ireland Medal, South Atlantic 1982 Medal and General Service Medal.
His daughter added: 'What he did was instrumental in the conflict and he was awarded the Military Medal.
'This year he would have been 60, I have missed him my whole life, and am deeply saddened that despite our differences my mum did not offer the family to buy them first.
'I would like to bid on them and buy them, however, we don't have much time.
'Please help me raise the money.
'If we are not successful in my bid everyone will get their money returned to them.'
Lance Corporal Bingley's younger brother Steve, an Army veteran of some 25 years, has also urged people to get behind the appeal to stop the medals being sold on.
In total, 961 Argentine prisoners were taken at Goose Green, with about 50 killed in action and a further 112 wounded.
Sixteen British personnel were killed and 64 others wounded.
On May 30, 1982, the mass burial of British casualties, including LCpl Bingley, was presided over by Reverend David Cooper who poignantly urged everyone to 'think on.'
Argentina formally surrendered and relinquished control of the Falkland Islands to the British on June 14, 1982.
Marcus Budgen, from London auctioneers Spink & Son, who are selling the medals, said: 'The awards of Lance Corporal 'Gaz' Bingley are simply exceptional and must rank amongst the most historically important available for the modern conflicts.
'His gallantry and sacrifice during the Battle of Goose Green was rewarded with a posthumous Military Medal, a unique award.
'Reading his citation the devotion to duty he displayed is just so poignant and moving - he was a true airborne warrior and gave his life for those men around him and ultimately for the freedom of the Falkland Islands.
'His widow has had some health issues in the past couple of years and she has decided now is the right time to put his medals on the market.
'She hopes their sale will allow his story to be told so his heroism is never forgotten.'
LCpl Bingley with his daughter, who is trying to raise some £70,000 to buy his medals
Jay Hyron last week announced she would be selling his bravery medals to 'allow his story to be told to a wider audience'
Lance Corporal Gary Bingley (left) with his best man on his wedding day in 1977
LCpl Bingley (third left, front) with 2 Para comrades en-route to the Falklands on M.V. Norland
LCpl Gary Bingley (left) on the MV Norland approaching the Falklands in 1982
LCPl Bingley's medals are set to be sold alongside candid photos of his time in the Falklands. Pictured, 2 Para en-route to the Falklands on M.V. Norland
LCpl Bingley's citation in the London Gazette on October 8, 1982, read: 'During the battle his section came under fire at close quarters from two enemy machine gun posts.
'To destroy the enemy positions L/Cpl Bingley led his section in the assault and whilst leading was fatally wounded.
'His heroic action enabled his company to continue their advance and was significantly instrumental in defeating the enemy.'
LCPl Bingley's medals are set to be sold alongside candid photos of his time in the Falklands.
The auction is set to take place on April 25.