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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 393

(x) 'I'd never seen such a scary face in all my life. He had wide, staring eyes and a terrible grimace. I felt physically sick. It was either him or us, me and my mates. So I shot him.'

Branchflower on his gallant action.

The superb 'Battle of Basra 6 April 2003' M.C. group of three awarded to Guardsman A. L. Branchflower, Irish Guards, who aged just nineteen, faced down an enemy soldier who was preparing to throw a grenade upon his Section from just 25m; Branchflower took aim and killed the enemy, which resulted in his grenade falling with him - its blast also accounted for an enemy machine-gunner who had been engaging his comrades

Military Cross, E.II.R., reverse dated '2003' and officially inscribed '25148134 Gdsm A L Branchflower IG', with its Royal Mint case of issue; Iraq 2003-11, 1 clasp, 19 Mar to 28 Apr 2003 (25148134 Gdsm A L Branchflower IG), officially impressed naming; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (25148134 Gdsm A L Branchflower IG), officially impressed naming, mounted court-style as worn, nearly extremely fine (3)

Provenance:

Acquired from the recipient, via J. B. Hayward, circa 2005.

Of just 84 awards of the Military Cross for the Iraq War, 2003-11, this the only award to an other rank of the Guards.

20 awards of the Military Cross covering the dates 19 March-19 April 2003.

3 awards of the Military Cross for Iraq to the Irish Guards.

M.C. London Gazette 31 October 2003. The citation states:

'Guardsman Branchflower joined 1st Battalion, Irish Guards in February 2003 at 19 years of age on completion of his recruit training. Within days he deployed to the Gulf on Operation Telic as a Machine Gunner within No. 2 Company, 1st Battalion, part of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Battlegroup.

Following a successful initial attack into Basrah on 6 April 2003 by the Battlegroup, a short pause ensued whilst orders were issued for subsequent objectives. At this stage Guardsman Branchflower's Section Commander was ordered to dismount his Section and clear and enemy bunker position that had already been engaged by tanks and Warrior Fighting Vehicles. The position was believed to have been cleared of enemy and his Section was asked to collect the enemy's now redundant weapons.

The approach the bunker and the Section Commander busied himself issuing arcs of fire to his men. Suddenly, wholly unexpectedly, they were engaged by machine-gun fire from the bunker, now no more than 25m away. Surprised, the Section Commander spun around to face the bunker and saw an enemy soldier in the process of throwing a grenade at the Section. All took cover as quickly as possible, less Branchflower who stood his ground and engaged the enemy grenadier. Branchflower hit and killed the enemy soldier, who dropped the grenade. The subsequent detonation also killed the enemy machine-gunner who had been engaging the Section.

Branchflower's bravery, professionalism and presence of mind in these circumstances were truly remarkable for a soldier barely three months out of training. Undoubtedly, his decisive action saved his fellow Section members from severe injury.'

Anton Liam Branchflower was raised in Irlam, Salford, Manchester and joined the Irish Guards in 2002. Having earned his Military Cross for the action around the old Basra Technical College in Iraq, he was soonafter on further active service in Northern Ireland, spending Christmas 2003 on duty. He went to Buckingham Palace to receive his award on 25 February 2004.

Sold together with the following original archive of material:

(i)
Named card box for the Iraq Medal.

(ii)
Photographs of his service, DVD and extracts from the Investiture.

(iii)
Eleven letters of congratulation from senior Officers and Commanders.

Newspaper cuttings and other copied extracts related to the awards.

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Sold for
£9,000

Starting price
£8000