The rare post-war Suez Crisis M.M. pair awarded to Lance-Corporal J. Crossland, 40...

The rare post-war Suez Crisis M.M. pair awarded to Lance-Corporal J. Crossland, 40 Commando, Royal Marines Military Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (RM.14422 Marine. J. W. Crossland, R.M.) official correction to first three letters of surname; Naval General Service 1915-62, 2 clasps, Cyprus, Near East (R.M. 14422 J. W. Crossland. Mne. R.M.) mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (2) £6,000-£8,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 1998. Only seven Military Medals were awarded for the Suez operations in 1956, namely four awards to the Royal Marines and three to the Parachute Regiment. M.M. London Gazette 13 June 1957: ‘In recognition of distinguished services in operations in the Near East, October to December 1956.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Lance-Corporal Crossland was the second-in-command of his section during the Allied Landings at Port Said on 6 November 1956. Crossland and 4 men were led into an assault on an enemy held warehouse by their Commander. Just before entering the building 2 of the men were wounded by a grenade, but the attack was carried through. Just after the entry was made the officer was killed. It was then apparent that the further end of the warehouse was held by Egyptians who were determined to fight to the last. The section commander withdrew in order to obtain reinforcements. Crossland held his ground alone and continued to fire and throw grenades at the enemy. Soon, he ran out of ammunition, and the enemy advanced upon him. He still stood his ground and was preparing to use the butt of his Sten gun when the reinforcing section arrived just in time to account for the remaining enemy. Lance-Corporal Crossland immediately turned to assist the 2 members of his section who were wounded and lying in the open outside the warehouse. Although under heavy fire from another position, with complete disregard for his personal safety he went out and dragged his wounded comrades to safety. There were a further 4 rooms at the far end of the warehouse which still had to be searched. Crossland played a leading part in clearing these remaining rooms which contained 8 of the enemy. Throughout this action Lance-Corporal Crossland showed outstanding courage in the face of the enemy and acted with great personal bravery accounting for a number of enemy. His actions inspired the men under him.’ James Willie Crossland received his M.M. at an investiture held on 19 November 1957. His gallant actions were enacted in Port Said’s customs sheds, where strong Egyptian resistance resulted in a loss of two officers killed and several Marines wounded. A glimpse of that action is to be found in the Globe & Laurel of February 1957: ‘Lieutenant Ufton, with a section of ‘B’ Troop, then attacked the Customs Sheds and cleared part of the bottom floor and the whole of the top floor; two Marines were wounded before they reached the building. Lieutenant McCarthy, with two sections of ‘B’ Troop, attempted to clear the reminder of the bottom floor. They were met with heavy fire from the enemy hidden behind the Customs inspection table and from the many separate offices and lobbies in the large passenger inspection room. Two Marines were wounded effecting an entry and Lieutenant McCarthy was shot dead as soon as he entered the room. Lieutenant Ufton immediately led an attack which captured the building and was killed attempting to clear a separate office at the far end. One Marine was wounded. 17 enemy were killed and two wounded and captured. One enemy was captured four hours later when he was found hiding in a cupboard.’ The Royal Marines suffered total casualties of 10 killed and 50 wounded in the Suez operations. Sold with copied research.