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Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 605

A rare campaign pair awarded to Private J. D. Philips, Parachute Regiment, who served on Operation 'Barras'

General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (25097582 Pte J D Phillips Para); Operational Service Medal 2000, for Sierra Leone, with rosette (25097582 Pte J D Phillips Para), first mounted court-style as worn, nearly extremely fine (2)

John David Phillips, a native of Llanelli, enlisted at Swansea on 9 April 1999, together with Alex MacLachlan, a teamate at New Dock Stars RFC. The pair served shoulder-to-shoulder and were in Jamaica on exercise with 'A' Company, 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment when the unit were quickly sent to Sierra Leone. He served his part in Operation “Barras”, the British initiative to try and free 11 men of the Royal Irish Regiment who had been seized on 25 August 2000 by the rebel group known as the “West Side Boys”. A few days later five of the hostages were released, but on 10 September a major assault was mounted to free the remainder, our forces comprising 150 men of The Parachute Regiment and elements of the Special Forces. In the ensuing 10-hour engagement, one S.A.S. Trooper was killed and 11 other soldiers wounded, but the Royal Irish Regiment captives were safely released. The rebel leader, Foday Kallay, was captured, so too many of his followers, and 25 members of the “West Side Boys” killed: only those members of the Parachute Regiment or the Special Forces that took part in Operation Barras qualified for the silver rosette on the Sierra Leone Operational Service Medal.

Latterly serving in Northern Ireland he was quoted in a local newspaper:

'I'm enjoying it but the climate is a lot colder than some of my last postings such as Jamaica and Sierra Leone. Over here we are working to support the RUC and provide them with whatever assistance they need.'

MacLachlan would tragically lose his life having been captured, tortured and eventually executed in Baghdad whilst on private security work in 2007.

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Sold for
£1,800

Starting price
£1400