238
A Collection of Medals to Casualties from the Battle of Imjin River, 22-25 April 1951
Description
Six: Fusilier J. McDonald, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, who was killed in action at the Battle of Imjin River, 23 April 1951, when the Regiment bore the brunt of repeated massed Chinese wave attacks
1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (3189424 Fus. J. McDonald. R.N.F.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, good very fine (6) £800-£1,200
---
Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2015.
John McDonald was born on 1 January 1922 and served in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers during the Second World War where the Regiment earned the Battle Honours of Sword Beach, Caen, Flushing, and Arnhem, where the Regiment was part of the 1st Air Landing Brigade. Transferring to the Army Reserve, following the outbreak of the Korean War McDonald was recalled to the Colours and posted to the ‘Fighting Fifth’, the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. He sailed on the Empire Halladale on 11 October 1950 as part of the 29 Brigade and landed at Pusan on 19 November 1950.
In Korea the Regiment was first in action at Sibyon-ni on 2 December 1950, where five men were killed and three wounded. The Regiment then moved north but encountered the rest of the 8th Army in retreat and so withdrew south. After many brushes with the Chinese, including the Battle for Kan-Dong where the Regiment lost twenty dead and forty one wounded it was deployed along the Imjin River together with the 1st Battalion Gloster Regiment, the 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, and a Belgian Battalion, all supported by the 8th Hussars and 45 Field Regiment Royal Artillery. On 22 April 1951 the Chinese launched a major and determined attack to break through the Brigade and advance to the capital Seoul. The following day, St George’s Day, was the Regimental Day of the ‘Fighting Fifth’, and early in the morning the soldiers were issued with red roses flown especially from Japan. It was to be the bloodiest day for the Regiment in the Korean War. The Chinese stormed the forward company position and forced the Fusiliers back. A determined counter attack was launched but by this time large number of Chinese had occupied the hill, and the counter attack failed. The flanks of the regiment now became exposed as the Belgian battalion and Ulster Rifles were forced back and the Glosters were surrounded. The order was then given to fall back to new reserve positions, which involved a hazardous march under intense Chinese fire. The ‘Fighting Fifth’ had suffered severe causalities, but their determination and courage had stopped the Chinese advance; 34 had been killed, 91 wounded and 39 were taken prisoner.
John McDonald was amongst those killed, aged 29 years, and he is buried in the U.N. Cemetery at Pusan, Korea.
1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (3189424 Fus. J. McDonald. R.N.F.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, good very fine (6) £800-£1,200
---
Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2015.
John McDonald was born on 1 January 1922 and served in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers during the Second World War where the Regiment earned the Battle Honours of Sword Beach, Caen, Flushing, and Arnhem, where the Regiment was part of the 1st Air Landing Brigade. Transferring to the Army Reserve, following the outbreak of the Korean War McDonald was recalled to the Colours and posted to the ‘Fighting Fifth’, the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. He sailed on the Empire Halladale on 11 October 1950 as part of the 29 Brigade and landed at Pusan on 19 November 1950.
In Korea the Regiment was first in action at Sibyon-ni on 2 December 1950, where five men were killed and three wounded. The Regiment then moved north but encountered the rest of the 8th Army in retreat and so withdrew south. After many brushes with the Chinese, including the Battle for Kan-Dong where the Regiment lost twenty dead and forty one wounded it was deployed along the Imjin River together with the 1st Battalion Gloster Regiment, the 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, and a Belgian Battalion, all supported by the 8th Hussars and 45 Field Regiment Royal Artillery. On 22 April 1951 the Chinese launched a major and determined attack to break through the Brigade and advance to the capital Seoul. The following day, St George’s Day, was the Regimental Day of the ‘Fighting Fifth’, and early in the morning the soldiers were issued with red roses flown especially from Japan. It was to be the bloodiest day for the Regiment in the Korean War. The Chinese stormed the forward company position and forced the Fusiliers back. A determined counter attack was launched but by this time large number of Chinese had occupied the hill, and the counter attack failed. The flanks of the regiment now became exposed as the Belgian battalion and Ulster Rifles were forced back and the Glosters were surrounded. The order was then given to fall back to new reserve positions, which involved a hazardous march under intense Chinese fire. The ‘Fighting Fifth’ had suffered severe causalities, but their determination and courage had stopped the Chinese advance; 34 had been killed, 91 wounded and 39 were taken prisoner.
John McDonald was amongst those killed, aged 29 years, and he is buried in the U.N. Cemetery at Pusan, Korea.
In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's website
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
Six: Fusilier J. McDonald, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, who was killed in action at the Battle of Imjin River, 23 April 1951, when the Regiment bore the brunt of repeated massed Chinese wave attacks
1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (3189424 Fus. J. McDonald. R.N.F.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, good very fine (6) £800-£1,200
---
Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2015.
John McDonald was born on 1 January 1922 and served in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers during the Second World War where the Regiment earned the Battle Honours of Sword Beach, Caen, Flushing, and Arnhem, where the Regiment was part of the 1st Air Landing Brigade. Transferring to the Army Reserve, following the outbreak of the Korean War McDonald was recalled to the Colours and posted to the ‘Fighting Fifth’, the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. He sailed on the Empire Halladale on 11 October 1950 as part of the 29 Brigade and landed at Pusan on 19 November 1950.
In Korea the Regiment was first in action at Sibyon-ni on 2 December 1950, where five men were killed and three wounded. The Regiment then moved north but encountered the rest of the 8th Army in retreat and so withdrew south. After many brushes with the Chinese, including the Battle for Kan-Dong where the Regiment lost twenty dead and forty one wounded it was deployed along the Imjin River together with the 1st Battalion Gloster Regiment, the 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, and a Belgian Battalion, all supported by the 8th Hussars and 45 Field Regiment Royal Artillery. On 22 April 1951 the Chinese launched a major and determined attack to break through the Brigade and advance to the capital Seoul. The following day, St George’s Day, was the Regimental Day of the ‘Fighting Fifth’, and early in the morning the soldiers were issued with red roses flown especially from Japan. It was to be the bloodiest day for the Regiment in the Korean War. The Chinese stormed the forward company position and forced the Fusiliers back. A determined counter attack was launched but by this time large number of Chinese had occupied the hill, and the counter attack failed. The flanks of the regiment now became exposed as the Belgian battalion and Ulster Rifles were forced back and the Glosters were surrounded. The order was then given to fall back to new reserve positions, which involved a hazardous march under intense Chinese fire. The ‘Fighting Fifth’ had suffered severe causalities, but their determination and courage had stopped the Chinese advance; 34 had been killed, 91 wounded and 39 were taken prisoner.
John McDonald was amongst those killed, aged 29 years, and he is buried in the U.N. Cemetery at Pusan, Korea.
1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (3189424 Fus. J. McDonald. R.N.F.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, good very fine (6) £800-£1,200
---
Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2015.
John McDonald was born on 1 January 1922 and served in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers during the Second World War where the Regiment earned the Battle Honours of Sword Beach, Caen, Flushing, and Arnhem, where the Regiment was part of the 1st Air Landing Brigade. Transferring to the Army Reserve, following the outbreak of the Korean War McDonald was recalled to the Colours and posted to the ‘Fighting Fifth’, the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. He sailed on the Empire Halladale on 11 October 1950 as part of the 29 Brigade and landed at Pusan on 19 November 1950.
In Korea the Regiment was first in action at Sibyon-ni on 2 December 1950, where five men were killed and three wounded. The Regiment then moved north but encountered the rest of the 8th Army in retreat and so withdrew south. After many brushes with the Chinese, including the Battle for Kan-Dong where the Regiment lost twenty dead and forty one wounded it was deployed along the Imjin River together with the 1st Battalion Gloster Regiment, the 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, and a Belgian Battalion, all supported by the 8th Hussars and 45 Field Regiment Royal Artillery. On 22 April 1951 the Chinese launched a major and determined attack to break through the Brigade and advance to the capital Seoul. The following day, St George’s Day, was the Regimental Day of the ‘Fighting Fifth’, and early in the morning the soldiers were issued with red roses flown especially from Japan. It was to be the bloodiest day for the Regiment in the Korean War. The Chinese stormed the forward company position and forced the Fusiliers back. A determined counter attack was launched but by this time large number of Chinese had occupied the hill, and the counter attack failed. The flanks of the regiment now became exposed as the Belgian battalion and Ulster Rifles were forced back and the Glosters were surrounded. The order was then given to fall back to new reserve positions, which involved a hazardous march under intense Chinese fire. The ‘Fighting Fifth’ had suffered severe causalities, but their determination and courage had stopped the Chinese advance; 34 had been killed, 91 wounded and 39 were taken prisoner.
John McDonald was amongst those killed, aged 29 years, and he is buried in the U.N. Cemetery at Pusan, Korea.
In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's website
Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Sale Date(s)
Venue Address
16 Bolton St
London
W1J 8BQ
United Kingdom
General delivery information available from the auctioneer
If you are successful in purchasing lot/s being auctioned by us and opt for the item/s to be sent to you, we will use the following methods of shipment:
Within the UK
If you live within the UK, items will be despatched using Royal Mail Special Delivery. This service provides parcel tracking (via the Royal Mail website) and next weekday delivery (betwen 9am and 1pm). Items delivered within the UK are covered by our insurance company. Heavy and bulky lots will be sent by courier, in discussion with the client.
Outside of the UK
If the item/s being sent are worth under £1000 in total they are sent using Royal Mail’s Signed For International service. This ensures the item must be signed for when it is delivered.
If the item/s being sent are valued at over £1000 in total they will be sent using FedEx. This service allows next day delivery to customers in many parts of the US and parcels are fully trackable using the FedEx website.
Shipping Exceptions
Certain lots such as those containing glass or sharp implements, etc., may not be suitable for in-house shipping within or outside of the UK. Please contact Noonans with any queries.
Important Information
Buyers Premium: 20%
Other Information: Please visit www.dnw.co.uk for more information
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL BUYERS
All lots in DNW auctions are automatically reserved at the bid step which reflects 80% of the lower estimate figure, unless otherwise instructed by the vendor.
All multiple lots (lots containing two or more items) with the exception of designated sets of notes, are sold as viewed and not subject to return. Buyers are recommended to view such lots.
Lots marked ‘x’ in dark blue are subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the EU.
Important Notice Advance Bidding Facility
Please note that our easy-to-use advance bidding facility, which replaces the ‘old-fashioned’ commission bid system, provides all bidders with total control over their bids right up to the point that the lot is offered for sale.
Bids made online cannot be seen by others and do not go live until the actual moment that the lot in question is being offered for sale. All bids can be easily altered or cancelled by the bidder prior to this point. An automated confirmatory email will be sent confirming all bids and alterations.
Anyone with a valid email address can easily register to bid online.
There is no additional charge for online bidding and it is not necessary to pre-register a payment card in order to do so.
It is recommended that all bidders execute their own bids, either prior to the auction by using this facility or live as the auction is taking place.
Whilst we are still happy to execute all bids submitted in writing or by phone, fax or any other method, it should be noted that all bids left with us will be entered at our offices using the same bidding facility to which all our clients now have access. There is, therefore, no better way of ensuring the accuracy of your advance bids than to place them yourself online.
For any support queries please contact: Ian Anderson ian@dnw.co.uk (+44) 20 7016 1751
