EIIR 1st TYPE MILITARY MEDAL, 1st SOUTH WALES BORDERERS, FOR GALLANTRY ON A DAYLIGHT PATROL IN KOREA 1952

Rare EIIR 1st type Military Medal (MM)
To- 19061614.A-CPL.D.G.HUGHES.S.W.B
David George Hughes was a member of the 1st battalion of the South Wales Borderers and was serving in Korea on attachment to the 1st battalion of the Welsh Regiment. He was awarded the MM for services in Korea in the London gazette 10-10-1952 with the following recommendation.
On the 9th February 1952 a platoon of A Coy 1st Welch were carrying out a daylight patrol. One section had gone forward about 400 yards in advance of the main body, but on the left of the main axis, and had made a good bound. At this stage the main body came under enemy fire & were pinned down. After a short fire fight the leading section withdrew towards the main body, but owing to intense enemy fire failed to reach them. L-Cpl Hughes was then ordered to take out a section from the FDL's & make contact with the leading section of the patrol. The plan then was that both sections were to outflank the enemy & seize the high ground to the rear. The plan was put in to execution & was very successfully carried out against slight opposition. The section then moved towards the top of the hill itself where it was found that the enemy were holding in platoon strength. A fierce short range small arms & grenade fight, which at times developed into hand fighting, took place between L-Cpl Hughes section & the enemy, who considerably outnumbered him. During the engagement, in which the enemy suffered heavy loss. L-Cpl Hughes personally wounded & disarmed a soldier whom he took prisoner, but the later was killed by enemy grenade. Later L-Cpl Hughes skillfully extricated his section & joined the main body of the patrol without suffering casualties. During the operation L-Cpl Hughes displayed initiative & courage of a high order & led his section with skill & determination. Throughout he set a fine example to his section.
The medal is N.E.F or better & one of only six EIIR MM to the regiment. Three were issued for Korea & three were issued for Malaya. It is presumed to the first three awards were EIIR 1st type whilst the later three would be 2nd type.
Complete with London gazette & citation details

Code: 58441