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Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 563

Four: Corporal A. Kennan, Royal Scots Dragoons Guards, who served as Radio Operator in Lieutenant-Colonel H. Blackman's Challenger 2 tank during the advance on Basra with the 'Desert Rats'

N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Former Yugoslavia; N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Kosovo, with silver '2' device upon riband; Iraq 2003-11, 1 clasp, 19 Mar to 28 Apr 2003 (25042776 Cpl A Kennan Scots DG); Jubilee 2002, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (4)

Andrew Kennan enlisted in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in 1995 and was selected for 'Command Troop' in 1997 (Eagle and Carbine, Vol. 26, refers). Having served in the former Yugoslavia, Kennan was married in April 1998 (ibid) and promoted Corporal in 1999 whilst being appointed to the Commanding Officer's Tank Crew as a Loader and Radio Operator.

Completing his Crew Commander's course at Bovington in late 2002, Kennan would have been serving in Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Blackman's tank as the prospect of conflict arose. In January 2003, the regiment were based at Fallingbostel, Germany. Having been taken off stand-by, they mobilised through the Suez Canal and landed at Kuwait in early March. Training completed, they 'crossed the line' into Iraq and began to press on. In convoy of 28 tanks, the Scots Dragoon Guards eventually reached the outskirts of the city. Taking mortar and small arms fire as they advanced closer, Blackman, with Kennan aboard, swung the regiment to the north-west of the city, capturing the five bridges over the Shatt al Basra. Moving on and capturing the Shaibah Airfield, the Challengers continued to push into the city and engage the enemy at every crossroad. The regiment fought what became the biggest tank action since the Second War and of the entire Iraq War on 27 March, when they destroyed 14 enemy tanks. As reported in The Sun on 3 April 2003:

'Col. Hugh Blackman's crew killed a soldier taking aim with a rocket-propelled grenade.'

Basra fell on 6 April, with the British Forces losing 11 men killed whilst Saddam's 51st Division and Fedayeen came out with an estimated 400-500 killed in action. Blackman would earn a 'mention':

'He led the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards group, the last to arrive in Kuwait, across the line of departure with 7th Armoured Brigade in under seven days.

As commanding officer he showed bold action in battle and personally lead a series of raids to disrupt the outer defences of Basra. He secured a key crossing over the Shatt al Basra and attacked a vital crossroads in the city.'

Kennan's efforts alongside his gallant C.O. would no doubt have secured these victories. It is understood Kennan left the Army in 2006; sold with metal and three cloth badges in a file of copied research including numerous mentions of the recipient.

For the recipient's miniature dress medals please see Lot 784.

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Sold for
£580