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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 164

(x) The Basra 2003 M.I.D. group of three awarded to Colour-Sergeant A. P. Redfearn, Queen's Lancashire Regiment, who was 'mentioned' for for wrestling away the AK-47 an armed insurgent was pointing at his chest whilst on a house raid in Basra; Redfearn was then involved as a key player in the infamous 'Baha Mousa incident' and subsequent Public Inquiry

Iraq 2003-11, no clasp, with M.I.D. oak leaf (25070549 LCpl A P Redfearn QLR); Jubilee 2012; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., Regular Army (CSgt A P Redfearn Lancs 25070549), nearly extremely fine (3)

M.I.D. London Gazette 23 April 2004. A typed citation offers the following account:

'During the evening of the 28th June 2003 call sign G10A led by Lt Rogers and Cpl Redfearn were called to lead a high risk clearance of a house that had been occupied by up to five heavily armed terrorists which were believed to be in the advanced stages of planning a high profile attack on coalition troop somewhere in the Basra area. The attack was scheduled for 2200hrs as the assault party advanced towards the target house it was noted that gunmen could be seen on the roof a decision was made to assault immediately and Cpl Redfearn led the assault into the target house.

The entry point was breached and secured as was the bottom floor without a shot being fired but as Cpl Redfearn attempted to ascend he was confronted by a terrorist which pointed an AK47 assault rifle into his chest with no time to bring his weapon to bear Cpl Redfearn grabbed the barrel of the attacker's weapon and overpowered him with such speed and ferocity that the remaining terrorists surrendered without a single shot being fired.

To lead his team into a house knowing he could encounter heavy resistance from a well organised well armed group of terrorists and that there was a good possibility that his team would be outnumbered took bravery and leadership of the highest order, had the 20 year old L/Cpl now Cpl took the decision upon himself to launch immediately into the assualt the Platoon could have come under heavy fire from the rooftop and lives would almost certainly would have been lost. For his bravery and selfless commitment Cpl Redfearn of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment is awarded an M.I.D.'

A letter from Major-General Lamb confirms the above:

'...Your actions in Basra to secure and armed group of terrorists were a first class piece of work. I have no doubt that in wrestling the Ak from the lead terrorist you make it quite clear to the group that they were dealing with people who knew what they were doing. Your actions were both courageous and forthright - well done.'

Adrian Peter Redfearn enlisted on 19 November 1997 and served in Iraq with the 1st Battalion, Queen's Lancashire Regiment. Besides his 'mention', he was a Platoon Commander for the hotel raid on 14 September 2003 which resulted in the capture and tragic death of Baha Mousa, a 26 year old receptionist who died after some 36 hours in the custody of the Regiment. Redfearn, besides comrades who were key players in the incident, gave evidence to a Public Inquiry. Redfearn was not at the time charged with anything, in start contrast to seven comrades who were. He spoke out against the treament and poor conditions and while he would surely have seen the poor treatment of the prisoners, appears to have acted to reduce the strain put upon them. In giving his side of the story, Redfearn suggested he would hinder any possible advancement. A letter from Brigadier Moore offers his views (2 May 2004):

'Clearly the sad death of WO2 Leigh and the allegations in the Daily Mirror have taken the gloss off things; just remind the Battalion that they did a cracking job in Basrah, even if (and I stress "even") one or two have let the rest down.'

Either way, he received his M.I.D. at Flagstaff House, Episkopi on 14 May 2004. Remaining with the unit, he was advanced Colour-Sergeant and was awarded his L.S. & G.C. on 20 September 2013. He left the Army on 17 December 2012; sold together with original M.I.D. certificate, a number of letters of congratulations, named box of issue for the L.S. & G.C., copied Certificate of Service and full statement for the Baha Mousa Inquiry besides other research.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£2,500

Starting price
£1300