The Korean War ‘Third Battle of the Hook’ M.C. Group of 8 awarded to Captain John Lionel Hugh Gordon, Royal Artillery, awarded the Military Cross for his role as Forward Observation Post Officer at ‘the Hook’, where, in direct support of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, he directed the fire of the British artillery and acted as a ‘tower of strength’ for a period of ten days in the face of repeated and enemy attacks, on the 28th-29th of May, 1953. During this battle, the supporting artillery created ‘greater concentrations of artillery...on a 1000 yard front than at any time since 1918’, comprising: Military Cross, EiiR, reverse engraved 1953; 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence and War Medals, unnamed as issued; Korea Medal (Capt. J. L. H. Gordon. M.C. R.A.); UN Korea Medal; General Service Medal, 1918-1962, EiiR, 2 clasps, Malaya, Cyprus (Major J. L. H. Gordon. M.C. R.A.), mounted for display, uneven reverse tone, a few light contact marks, otherwise extremely fine (8) NOTE: M.C.: London Gazette, 7 June 1953: ‘Captain Gordon was forward Observation Post Officer on “The Hook” feature, in direct support of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, throughout the build-up for and the battle of “The Hook”, which reached its climax on the night of 28th/29th May, 1953. Because the build-up was so obvious, Captain Gordon insisted on staying on “The Hook” when one Infantry Company was relieved by another, although he was due for relief himself. He contended that he knew the local situation better than anyone else. For about ten days, the relatively small area of “The Hook”, which is well known to the enemy, was subjected to heavy and accurate shell and mortar fire, the intensity of which increased daily. By night, the enemy’s patrols continually probed “The Hook” defences. It was a period of very great tension. Captain Gordon seemed to be on duty at all times, in the Observation Post by day directing our artillery fire with accuracy, moving about under enemy fire with unassuming courage, and constantly alert in the company command post by night. He snatched his rest at odd hours and always appeared fresh and wonderfully cheerful. His example had a most stimulating effect on his own Observation Post party and on many others as well. When the enemy launched his attack with great fury, subjecting the command post area to very heavy fire indeed and over-running the forward platoon and Observation Post, Captain Gordon was at his post with the Infantry Company Commander. Throughout the night, his cool and balanced situation reports and his efficient calls for fire were of the utmost value in helping first to stop the enemy and then to defeat and drive him from the position. There is no doubt that the correct employment of the guns had a major effect on the outcome of the battle. Captain Gordon’s contribution to this was notable. In the words of the Infantry Company Commander, “He was a tower of strength”. His indomitable spirit during the softening-up and his conduct during the action richly deserve recognition.’ John Lionel Hugh Gordon was born in 1922, the son of Brigadier John Kelly Gordon, D.S.O., R.A., and Beatrice Mary Gordon (née White). He was educated at Wellington College, and served in the Royal Artillery in WW2, receiving his emergency commission in October 1941, and then subsequently in the Korean War. He was recommended for an ‘Immediate’ award of the M.C. for his actions at the Third Battle of the Hook – this the third and final occasion upon which the strategic crescent-shaped position in the Commonwealth sector was attacked and defended, since it held part of the intended enemy approach route toward Seoul. On the 28th of May, 1953, the 1st Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regiment relieved the 1st Bn Black Watch and took up a defensive position with the 1st Bn King’s Regiment on ‘The Hook’ just prior to the launch of a new Chinese offensive that day. With the Royal Artillery in direct support, the position was successfully held despite the severity of the Chinese shelling and infantry attacks. In return, a reported 37,000 artillery shells were fired in 24-hoursThe book ‘Fortune Favours the Brave’ by A J Barker states that: ‘…on the night of 28/29 May, 1953…greater concentrations of artillery were brought to bear on a 1000- yard front than at any time since 1918’. It also mentions Captain Gordon by name, and gives a flavour of the scene that night, as follows: ‘In ‘D’ Company’s command post the occupants were trying to pierce the metaphorical fog of war. Behind the smoke-blackened entrance curtain the dug-out was filled to overflowing. Two signallers, a couple of orderlies, Captain John Gordon, the gunner FOO, Captain Tony Sherratt, the second-in-command, a spare subaltern, Lieutenant Jim Newton, two tables and the usual hotch-potch of equipment and personal kit, and of course, Emmett [Captain Edward Emmett], were all crammed in this tiny bunker. Smoke, an incessant chatter from the two wirelesses and the reverberations from outside all contributed to the Journey’s End atmosphere.’ Captain Gordon later served in the Malaya Campaign as Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General with the 28th Commonwealth Brigade in 1960, and retired with the rank of Major on the 2nd of April, 1975. Sold with original embossed copy of his full citation for the M.C., a set of matching dress miniatures, and other copied research. For the awards to his father, Brigadier John Keily Gordon, D.S.O., Royal Artillery, see lot 931.
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Six Royal Worcester figures modelled by F. C. Doughty; December 3458; The Parakeet 3087; All Mine 3519; Fantails 3760; September 3457; Grandmother's Dress 3081 and Admiral c.1780 no.2661, 29.5 cm (7) Condition Report Admiral - hairline crack around left ankle. All the others no damage and no obvious repairs or restoration
A Chinese famille rose vase, Cantonese, 19th century, of shouldered form, decorated with panels of figures in court dress and floral and animalistic panels, within a foliate scroll ground, punctuated with butterflies, the neck with moulded lizards and stylised dragon ruyi handles, highlighted in gilt, 45.5cm high
A portrait miniature on ivory, dated 1820, 'Aunt Jane', half length lady with red hair wearing a blue dress with lace collar, signed 'A.Parker, Nottingham' verso, framed, 6cm by 6cm and a circular portrait miniature of a young lady wearing a white dress, on ivory, ivory fillet, ebonised frame, diameter 6cm (2)
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