A fine ‘Malayan Emergency’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Corporal Sherbahadur Rai, 10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles, for his gallant conduct at Bahau Negri Sembilian on 1 March 1950 when communist insurgents derailed and ambushed a train, peppering the carriages with bullets - his bold action and offensive spirit with a bayonet ‘prevented a serious incident from becoming a major disaster’ Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (21146023 L.Cpl. Sherbahadur Rai. 1/10. G.R.) officially re-impressed naming; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, S.E. Asia 1945-46, Malaya (114507. Rfn Sherb’dr Rai. 3/10 G.R) minor official correction to number; Indian Independence Medal 1947 (21146023. Rfn. Sherbahadur. Rai. GR.) mounted for wear, minor scratch to reverse of DCM, generally very fine (4) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 12 May 1950. The original recommendation states: ‘Bahau Negri Sembilian. On 1st March, L/Cpl Sherbahadur Rai was returning from Local Leave in Jahore Bahru accompanied by some other leave details. They were travelling on the civil train from Johore - Mentakab. Between Bahau and Kemayan the train was derailed and ambushed at about 1030 hrs by a large party of bandits who were in position on both sides of a precipitous cutting. The carriage in which the GORs were travelling came to a halt in the middle of the cutting. Hence the full force and volume of enemy fire was directed on this carriage as a result of which 4 GORs were wounded (one seriously). The fire was so heavy that the men were “pinned down”. The enemy called upon the men to surrender and under cover of withering fire, one bandit armed with a sten endeavoured to come down towards the carriage. L/Cpl Sherbahadur immediately wounded him and the latter withdrew. A second bandit endeavoured to follow suit and was shot in the mouth and killed by L/Cpl Sherbahadur Rai. As a result of this enemy set back, L/Cpl Sherbahadur Rai seized the chance to jump out of the train with the object of charging the enemy. His action inspired the 4 wounded men to follow suit as well. One man was so badly wounded in the chest, that L/Cpl Sherbahadur was compelled to place him under suitable cover from fire. With the remaining three however he charged round the flank of the cutting straight at the enemy who immediately withdrew. L/Cpl Sherbahadur Rai and the three wounded men followed the bandits up for 1 3/4 miles firing as they went. Eventually on account of the wounded men, L/Cpl Sherbahadur Rai was compelled to call off the pursuit. On the way back, he picked up the dead body of the bandit he had shot and returning to the railway line handed the body over to the police. He also dressed and bandaged the wounded GORs. The highly courageous, bold action and inspiring leadership on the part of this young Lance-Corporal undoubtedly prevented a serious incident from becoming a major disaster. As an example of offensive spirit in the face of great odds it is second to none.’ Sherbahadur Rai served as a Section Commander with the 1/10th Gurkha Rifles when his train was derailed by communist guerilla forces on the morning of 1 March 1950. The Aberdeen Press and Journal of 3 March 1950 adds a little more detail: ‘Four Gurkhas with fixed bayonets charged a bandit ambush after the derailment of a passenger train between Gemas and Triang. A Malayan police statement said that the four Gurkhas routed about fifty bandits in a forty-minute battle, killing one and wounding four. Five other Gurkhas in the train were wounded, along with one auxiliary policeman and three civilians.’ Sherbahadur Rai was initially recommended for the D.C.M. by Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. Graham, Officer Commanding 1/10th Gurkha Rifles; passed up the chain of command, this was later ‘strongly recommended’ by the Commander in Chief FARELF on 3 April 1950 and approved by the newly installed Major-General Urquhart. Sadly, the Malayan railway remained a soft target for guerilla forces; the derailment of a mail train from Singapore in November 1951 killed four people and injured 20, and proved a close-call for the Malayan ruler of Egri Sembilan. According to the Bradford Observer on 15 November 1951: ‘The train plunged into a ravine. The gang fled after spraying the wreck with gunfire...’ Another attack on a goods train in January 1955 - where the fishplates securing the rails to the sleepers had been removed in a cutting - resulted in injuries to the driver and fireman and destruction of the rolling stock. Sold with copied research noting this as the fifth D.C.M. awarded to a Gurkha and the first D.C.M. awarded to the 1/10th Battalion, Gurkha Rifles.
We found 16074 price guide item(s) matching your search
There are 16074 lots that match your search criteria. Subscribe now to get instant access to the full price guide service.
Click here to subscribe- List
- Grid
-
16074 item(s)/page
Three: Sergeant S. G. Byard, D.C.M., Royal Field Artillery, who was decorated with the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1917 for saving the life of a man trapped in a burning gun-pit Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (781080 Sjt. S. G. Byard. D.C.M. R.F.A.) mounted as worn, nearly very fine and better (3) £100-£140 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 19 November 1917; citation published 6 February 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in putting out a fire in a gun-pit, although there were 500 rounds of H.E. and shrapnel in it, and some boxes were already ignited. He then proceeded to extricate the men. One died within a few minutes, but the other, who was badly wounded and trapped in the debris, owed his life to this N.C.O.’ Sidney Gordon Byard was born in Gloucester in 1885 and served in France from 17 April 1915. He was awarded the D.C.M. whilst serving with “A” Battery, 246th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, the story catching the attention of the Bradford Daily Telegraph on 13 October 1917: ‘Sergeant Sidney G. Byard, R.F.A., the new D.C.M., has written home informing his brother, Mr. W. J. Byard, printer, of Harris Street, Bradford, that though badly gassed he kept his battery going throughout the action and in the end had to be carried from his post... He was an old Church Lads’ Brigade boy, and is the second member of his family to win the honour. His cousin, Sergeant Hubert Byard, was awarded the D.C.M. at La Bassee two years ago.’ Byard survived the War and was discharged on 17 April 1919, subsequently joining the Territorial Force.
An extremely rare post-War ‘Malayan Emergency’ M.C. and Second Award Bar group of eight awarded to Lieutenant Sudhaman Rai, 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles, who was decorated for ‘cunning and tactical skill’ against Communist Terrorists and was thrice Mentioned in Despatches; ‘when a determined enemy rolled hand grenades down a hill towards him, he personally retaliated using well-aimed rifle grenades’ - evidence of his work clearly displayed by the pools of blood left behind on the summit Military Cross, E.II.R., reverse officially dated 1954, with Second Award Bar, reverse officially dated 1955; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; India Service Medal; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R., with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Sudhaman Rai. 7.G.R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (408509 Lt. (KGO). Sudhaman Rai 7 G.R.); Indian Independence Medal 1947 (21145556 W.O. Cl.2. Sudhaman Rai. G.R.) mounted as worn, the L.S. & G.C. medal on incorrect riband, wear to high relief of GSM, generally very fine and better (8) £5,000-£7,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 29 June 1954. The original recommendation states: ‘Lieutenant Sudhaman Rai Commands a platoon of “D” Company 1/7 Gurkha Rifles and has been actively and continuously engaged in operations since the start of the Emergency. Due to his courage, leadership and initiative his platoon has killed a large number of bandits. The majority of these kills have not been on information, but have resulted from persistent and unceasing patrolling, and ambushes carried out by Lieutenant Sudhaman with an outstanding degree of cunning and tactical skill. This officer has himself killed at least seven of his platoon’s total, two of these he accounted for when on a two man patrol in August of this year. The skill, initiative and personal bravery of Lieutenant Sudhaman Rai have provided an outstanding example not only to the men of his platoon but also to the whole battalion.’ M.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 31 May 1955. The original recommendation states: ‘On 21st October, 1954, Lieutenant Rai was in command of Number 12 Platoon of 1/7th Gurkha Rifles, a total strength of 16 men all told. Since the morning of 20th October, 1954, he has been following tracks made by a number of Communist Terrorists, and had orders to find out where they were going and on no account to come to action, unless his presence became known. While climbing an extremely steep hill accompanied by only 2 other men, he suddenly came upon a large occupied Communist Terrorists Camp. The Communist Terrorists saw him at the same time and instantly opened fire. This officer immediately ordered his men to take cover and himself placed his platoon in position where they came up, to form as near an encirclement as he could. One rifleman was wounded in the first burst, and had to go to the rear with another soldier to dress his wounds. A second soldier was sent to act as escort to the platoon signaller who was trying to get wireless contact with higher formation. This left the Officer with 11 Riflemen and Non-Commissioned officers, besides himself. For 3 hours this officer by his personal example and bravery kept his platoon in their exposed positions, with the full weight of the enemy fire coming down on them from a prepared and overlooked position. It is known that the enemy possessed 2 Light Machine Guns and other light automatics. Nevertheless, by his superb fire control and leadership, this officer enabled his platoon to beat back 2 or 3 determined attempts by the enemy to dislodge him. Not content with this, he personally took the platoon EY Rifle to an advantageous position and himself fired 6 grenades from it at the enemy. The effects of these grenades undoubtedly demoralised the enemy to a great extent, and it is suspected that several were wounded by them. Throughout this action, the enemy were rolling hand grenades down the hillside on to 12 platoon positions, and were using sustained automatic fire. Despite these adverse conditions, the skilful and brave way in which this small party of men fought back, eventually forced the enemy to withdraw, leaving one of their own dead, and pools of blood to lead to the supposition that at least 3 or 4 were wounded. Throughout this action Lieutenant (QGO) Sudhaman Rai displayed the greatest bravery, leadership and military skill.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 9 May 1946; 19 September 1946; and 1 May 1953. Sudhaman Rai initially served in the ranks with the Gurkha Regiment during the Second World War and was twice Mentioned in Despatches for service in Burma against the Japanese Imperial Army. Appointed to a Commission in the 7th Gurkha Rifles on 4 July 1949, Sudhaman Rai joined an extensive deployment of British and Gurkha troops in Malaya detailed to combat the insurgent threat. They typically drew upon the skills learned during the jungle campaign in Burma, with the 48th Gurkha Brigade and 17th Gurkha Division forming the backbone of the British deployment during the Emergency. One of just 20 officers awarded a post-Second War M.C. and Bar, Sudhaman Rai was further ‘mentioned’ for service in Malaya in 1953, before taking retirement on account of disability on 31 May 1959. Sold with copied research.
Palitoy (or similar) Action Man Vintage group of various Instruction Leaflets / Ephemera / Catalogues to include; Pursuit Craft, Astronaut, Action Army Soldier - Army Manual, Mine Detector Instructions, Cherilea - German Army Motorcycle & Side-car, plus others - some duplication - conditions are generally Fair to Good. (20+)
Palitoy Vintage Action Man figure, dark flock hair, plastic hands, wearing Parachute Regiment outfit, including jacket, trousers, puttees, parachute back-pack, plus other accessories, generally Fair Plus to Good (joints on the figure are a little loose), not checked for completeness, unboxed - see photos.
Palitoy Action Man vintage pair 34712 Horse with Saddle and Stirrups, does NOT include the Life Guards uniform and armour, - generally good within a Fair to Poor open lid box, (2) loose/unboxed blonde flock hair, gripping hands, eagle eyes, dynamic body figure dressed in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police uniform generally Good Plus , not checked for completeness - see photos. (2)
Palitoy Action Man Vintage group of loose/unboxed vehicles including (1) #34710 unboxed Scorpion Tank - modified using the #34720 105mm Light Gun, (2) #34737 Multi-Terrain vehicle, includes machine gun, steering wheel, (3) #34723 Motorcycle and Sidecar, with some accessories - generally Good to Fair, not checked for completeness, some attention to cleaning required - ideal for spare parts - see photo. (3)
Hasbro modern Action Man, a boxed group to include (1) 30th Anniversary Collectors Edition - Action Soldier, (2) Helicopter Rescue, (3) Heligun Maxicopter, (4) Collectable Scale Miniatures, all have not been checked for completeness. Conditions are generally Good Plus to Near Mint in Good to Good Plus opened boxes/packaging - see photo. (4)
Hasbro/Palitoy Action Man 40th Anniversary (or similar) pair of figures (1) Talking Commander with gripping hands, leaflets, (2) SAS Key figure with gripping hands, eagle eyes, leaflets, not checked for completeness - Excellent to Near Mint (some discolour to the SAS hood) within Excellent Plus boxes - see photo. (2)
Palitoy Vintage Action Man pair (1) Space Ranger Commando, dark flock hair, gripping hands, eagle eyes, dynamic body, suit, helmet, tabard, gloves, boots, plus other accessories - head is detached, (2) Captain Zargon figure, with vest, cape, green visor (1 lug on the visor has broken off), generally Good, not checked for completeness, unboxed - see photos. (2)
Palitoy/Cherilea Action Man Vintage group of loose/unboxed vehicles including (1) #34710 unboxed Scorpion Tank, (2) #34720 105mm Light Gun - 1 of the hoops is broken and the gun is detached from the base, includes the gold coloured breech cylinder, 10 x plastic shells, (3) #34718 Trailer, with drop down sides, canopy and frame, (4) #2630 Missile Patrol Boat includes missile launcher - generally Good to Poor, not checked for completeness, some attention to cleaning required - ideal for spare parts - see photo. (4)
Palitoy/Parker/Great Games vintage Action Man group (1) 2 x The Action Man board game (2) G.I. Joe - Live the Adventure - Cobra Enemy board game; (3) Action Force Field Unit Inter-com with flashing lights, buzzers and 30ft of extension cord. Conditions appear to be Good Plus within Fair Plus original lift-off lid boxes/packaging, not tested and not checked for completeness - see photo. (4)
Palitoy Action Man Vintage pair includes (1) loose/unboxed painted head dressed figure, plus accessories - not checked for completeness, (2) loose/unboxed 34730 Sea Wolf Submarine, not checked for completeness, also includes 2 x sharks and the green plastic packaging for the Deep Sea Diver suit - generally Fair Plus to Good - see photos. (5)
Palitoy vintage Action Man, unboxed group to include undressed flock head, gripping hands figure, plus various accessories including part outfits, hats, boots, rifles, plus others - see photo. Conditions are generally Fair to Good Plus - May contain some 40th anniversary or similar parts. (30+)
Palitoy Action Man vintage, unboxed group to include undressed eagle eyed, gripping hands figure plus various accessories including part outfits, helmets/hats, boots, rifles, plus others - see photo. Conditions are generally Fair to Good Plus - May contain some 40th anniversary or similar parts. (30+)
Palitoy vintage Action Man, a group of uniforms/accessory cards to include (1) #34511 Emergency - Highway Hazard - contents appear to be Mint within sealed Fair card/blister packaging; (2) #34526 Underground Rescue - packaging is OPEN and most of the contents have been removed, but it still includes the canteen/cutlery, compass, torch - contents appear to be Mint with sealed Fair card/blister packaging; also includes #34285 Equipment Centre - Zip-Up Coveralls, #34285 Judo Suit both sets have been opened, but the contents appear to be Excellent to Near Mint, not checked for completeness/correctness - see photo. (4)
Palitoy Action Man Vintage unboxed pair (1) Astronaut, blonde flock hair, wearing space suit with gloves, boots, space helmet, oxygen chest pack, plus others accessories; (2) 34705 Space Capsule with sliding window, control panel, not checked for completeness. Condition Fair - see photos. (2)
Hasbro modern Action Man, a boxed group to include (1) 30th Anniversary Collectors Edition - Action Soldier, (2) Moon Raker Space Explorer, (3) Crocodile Ranger, plus others, all have not been checked for completeness but some of the packaging has never been opened. Conditions are expected to be Near Mint to Mint in Good to Good Plus window boxes/blister packaging - see photo. (6)
Action Man vintage wooden Ammunition and Accessories Kit locker box - dark green wood with printed top, card printed inlay and plastic tray with various weapons, boots, caps and accessories, Fair to Good (some scuffs, lock and hinges rusting but still working) contents appear Good to Excellent - not checked for correctness - see photo.
Palitoy Action Man Vintage pair includes (1) loose/unboxed flock head dressed figure, plus accessories - not checked for completeness, (2) loose/unboxed 34710 Scorpion Tank, appears to have been repainted and modified, not checked for completeness but the tracks are missing - generally Good - see photos. (2)
Hasbro modern Action Man, a boxed group to include (1) Anti-Freeze, (2) No Face, (3) DR. X, (4) Deep Water Salvage, plus others, not checked for completeness, but some of the packaging has never been opened. Conditions are expected to be Near Mint to Mint in Good to Good Plus window boxes/blister packaging - see photo. (8)
Loading...-
16074 item(s)/page