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Auction: 14002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 7

An Outstanding '1948 Malaya' D.C.M. Pair to Trooper H.W. Smith, 4th Queen's Own Hussars, Who Was Wounded Four Times Whilst Engaging Terrorists During An Ambush on His Armoured Patrol
a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (19039549 Tpr. H.W. Smith. 4th H.)
b) General Service 1918-62, G.VI.R., one clasp, Malaya (19039549 Tpr. H. Smith. D.C.M. 4th H.), minor edge bruising, very fine, mounted for wear (2)

D.C.M. London Gazette 1.3.1949 19039549 Trooper Henry Whittaker Smith, 4th Queen's Own Hussars, the Recommendation states, 'At approximately 1300hrs on 31st December 1948, No.4 Troop A Squadron 4th Q.O. Hussars was on patrol on the Jalong Road. The patrol consisted of 2 GMC (A.P.C.s) and one 15cwt truck. Tpr. Smith was travelling in the rear GMC.

Intense fire was opened from both sides of the road and the 15cwt truck was knocked out. Tpr. Smith was ordered to dismount and at once engaged the enemy with his rifle. During this period he was wounded in two places. However he saw an opportunity of working round the enemy flank which he proceeded to do. He engaged them once more and was again wounded. However he decided to go on and found himself some 400 yds from the road, when he spotted 20 enemy reinforcements moving up along a track. He waited till the last man passed him who was somewhat isolated and shot him dead. This bandit was found dead the next day at the position Tpr. Smith stated he had killed him. Immediately Tpr. Smith engaged the enemy they opened fire with a Bren gun and he was wounded for the fourth time in the knee.

By this time there were bandits all around him, so he hid until dark and then crawled on to the road, and at dawn reached an Indian's hut. This man went to Sungei Siput to report Tpr. Smith's presence in the hut.

Tpr. Smith showed outstanding gallantry and initiative in relentlessly pursuing the enemy in spite of his wounds. His conduct was an example to all.'

On the above date Smith was part of a 19 man patrol under the command of Lieutenant M.G. Questier. The patrol was short of numbers due to sickness amongst the troop. Questier's three vehicle command was ambushed by at least 70 entrenched terrorists, on the Jalong Road, Perak. The 15cwt truck was immobilised whilst the two GMC's managed to extricate themselves during a running battle. The British patrol suffered 7 killed including Lieutenant Questier, and 9 wounded.

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£7,000