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Auction: 14001 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 262

A Scarce and Interesting Campaign Group of Three to Sergeant P. Caveney, Highland Light Infantry and 13th Parachute Battalion, Army Air Corps, Who Remained Loyal During the Infamous Mutiny of the 13th Parachute Battalion in Malaya, 13.5.1946
France and Germany Star; War Medal; General Service 1918-62, G.VI.R., two clasps, S.E. Asia 1945-46, Palestine 1945-48 (14851156 Sjt. P. Caveney. H.L.I.), extremely fine, together with two photographs of the recipient and various letters (3)

14851156 Sergeant Patrick Caveney, born Paisely, Scotland, the son of Private James Caveney, M.M.; enlisted in the Highland Light Infantry, 9.11.1944; transferred to the Army Air Corps, 1.2.1945; served during the Second World War in North West Europe, 'jumping' in Operation Varsity, the largest airborne operation of the War, 24.3.1945; subsequently served in the South East Asia with the 13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion, September to December 1945, and the Dutch East Indies, December 1945 to May 1946; promoted Corporal, 24.10.1945; Sergeant, 1.6.1946; posted back to Singapore, June 1946, following the mutiny of the 13th Parachute Battalion.

Mutiny of the 13th Parachute Battalion
The infamous mutiny of the 13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion in Malaya in 1946 had serious consequences for all members of that unit, both mutineers and those that remained loyal. Military command invoked strict security censorship, and rapidly worked to diffuse and cover-up the shambolic incident, not least by convicting 252 men of the battalion for Mutiny, disbanding the unit, and positing-out former loyal members of the battalion to other army units. In Cavaney's case he was posted back to his parent Regiment, the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry. Cavaney had evidently wanted to remain a 'Para' and even tried to get transferred back to the Parachute Regiment, but without success, having been 'tainted' by association as having served with 13/Para. A letter to him from a former Parachute Regiment officer Lieutenant-Colonel P.J. Luard, D.S.O., O.B.E., under whom he had served, clearly conveys the disgust with which the 13/Paras were held in contempt, and how their actions had affected his career prospects:

'Dear Caveney,
I have your letter of the 13th December and am so sorry to hear that you are no longer in the regiment.
I find that there is little that I can do directly. If however, you apply officially through your Commanding Officer, to go back to the Parachute Regiment you can certainly use my name as being very pleased to have you back under my command, and also as a recommendation for your service in the Regiment.
It is very sad to think of all the good chaps being dispersed because of the scandalous behaviour of an irresponsible and gutless few.
With every good wish and for good luck in your effort to return.'

Caveney rejoined the Highland Light Infantry, and served with the 1st Battalion in Palestine; transferred to the Reserve, 19.2.1948; discharged, 30.6.1959.

Approximately 7 S.E. Asia 1945-46 clasps awarded to the Highland Light Infantry: 2 to officers serving attached to the Indian Army, 1 to a Physical Training Instructor attached to 12th Yorkshire Parachute Battalion, and 4 to men attached to 13th Parachute Battalion.

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Sold for
£700