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Auction: 15003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 115

An 'Operation Herrick' Q.C.V.S. Group of Five to Company Intelligence Marine, Lance Corporal T. Harrison, 40 Commando, Royal Marines
General Service 1962-2007, one clasp, Northern Ireland (Mne T Harrison PO58382B RM); Iraq 2003-11, one clasp, 19 Mat to 28 Apr 2003 (Mne T Harrison PO58382B RM); Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan, one clasp, Afghanistan, with Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service Oak Leaves (Mne T Harrison PO58382B RM); Jubilee 2012; Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 2011 (LCpl T Harrison RM PO58382B), light contact marks, nearly extremely fine, mounted as originally worn, with the following related items:
- Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service Certificate, named to 'Lance Corporal Thomas Harrison Royal Marines
- Named box of issue for the QCVS emblems, with two additional emblems
- The recipient's Award of British Military Parachute Wings Certificate, dated 28.10.2008
- The recipient's Royal Marines green beret
- Two identity tags, and the recipient's somewhat damaged hip flask (5)

Q.C.V.S. London Gazette 4.10.2013 Acting Lance Corporal Thomas Harrison, Royal Marines, P058382B
'In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 October 2012 to 31 March 2013.'

The Recommendation, dated 24.3.2013, states: 'Lance Corporal Harrison has been the Company Intelligence Marine for the Nahr-e Saraj Operations Company (South) on Operation Herrick 17. With no command or specialist intelligence training he has provided his Company with a refined intelligence product that has shaped the way it operated. His input has been well above what could reasonably be expected from a man of his rank.
Leading a team of fellow marines, Harrison focussed on the collation, analysis, and exploitation of intelligence in support of operations across a particularly complex area of Helmand Province. Despite only holding the substantive rank of Marine, and having received no formal command training, his capacity to forge team ethos and lead detailed second and third order analysis was truly exceptional. With a mandate that extended to include both governed and ungoverned space, and the contested area of Torghai where some of the tour's heaviest fighting took place, Harrison understood and clarified long standing complex tribal tensions and dynamic local accommodations. Employed in a high readiness Operations Company role he routinely worked against the clock, flourishing in the highly charged environment, and he effectively shaped the Company's ground manoeuvre plans. Selflessly working extremely long hours Harrison, with no previous intelligence experience, stood out above other company intelligence specialists and he outshone both non-commissioned and commissioned officers. Passionately committed to the success of the campaign he ensured that fellow marines were launched on operations armed with the very best possible understanding of the threat that they faced, often deep into defended insurgent territory, and against the most tenacious and determined foe. He achieved this by energetic and thorough application to often mundane tasks. His analysis and advice made a tangible difference to Company operations.
I have never before encountered an intelligence specialist with Harrison's ability to translate and communicate the most complex threats in a way that can be understood by even the youngest and most inexperienced Marine. Ultimately, his briefings directly shaped the way that the marines of the Company confronted threats and I have no doubt that his capacity to articulate the context of these threats saved lives. Throughout a demanding tour he was an indispensable member of the Company planning team and, despite his junior rank, his counsel and expertise were always sought. A huge character, Harrison's contribution was not restricted to a planning role and he constantly hunted opportunities to deploy onto the battlefield. His unstinting professional desire to acquire information from all sources, and his willingness to expose himself to personal risk when he could have remained in the relative safety of a static protected location, went above and beyond the standard requirements of his role and in doing so he added significant depth to the Company's understanding.
Harrison's performance over the course of a gruelling six months has been exceptional. His enthusiasm, hard toil and pride, combined with a maturity that I have only seen in men well beyond his rank, have left their mark. For his effort and steadfast contribution he deserves national recognition.'

PO58382B Lance Corporal Thomas Harrison, enlisted in the Royal Marines, 25.9.2000; served with the Royal Marines in Northern Ireland on Operation Banner, March to September 2002; in Southern Iraq on Operation Telic 1, March to May 2003; promoted Lance Corporal, 20.10.2003; served with the Special Forces Support Group in Baghdad and Basra, Iraq, on Operation Crichton, May to December 2006, and on Operation Spartan, March to June 2007; in Helmand, Afghanistan, on Operation Bassett, June to August 2007, and in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Operation Kindle, March to September 2008; served with 40 Commando, Royal Marines, in Sangin District, Helmand, Afghanistan, on Operation Herrick 12, April to October 2010; and in Nahr-e Saraj District, Helmand, Afghanistan, on Operation Herrick 17, September 2012 to March 2013; awarded Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for services as the Company Intelligence Marine on his last tour; discharged, 17.2.2014.

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Sold for
£3,800

Sale 15003 Notices
The lot now additionally includes the recipient's Royal Marines Commando camouflage blouse, including parachute wings; A 42 Commando Operation Telic T-shirt; and the recipient's tie, cravat, and belt, together with miscellaneous cloth insignia, buttons, and wristband