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Auction: 21002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 60

(x) Iraq 2003-11, 1 clasp, 19 Mar to 28 Apr 2003 (25124498 Cfn C T Adams REME), extremely fine

Chris Adams served with the 16 Tank Transport Squadron during the Iraq War and penned an article on their time for The Craftsman at Camp Coyote:

'Elements of 16 Tank Transport Squadron RLC workshop REME commenced deployment into Kuwait on 10th February...amalgamating in the desert with our parent unit 7 Transport Regiment we found ourselves located approximately 40 clicks from the Iraqi border...In the middle of March we finally got an answer to the million-dollar question which had been lingering in our minds for the past six months. Was there, or wasn't there going to be a war? With all diplomatic efforts futile, Centurion lines in Kuwait found themselves on the receiving end of the legendary Scud missile. For most of us (the younger lads in particular), this turned out to be quite a nervous time. Craftsman Phil Graham didn't leave anything to chance and was usually in the trench in full IPE before the alarm had even been raised. At the opposite end of the spectrum was L/Cpl Pete Shepard otherwise known at 'Sandy McNab' who seemed to react like a kid in a sweetshop.

Myself personally the highlight of the tour so far has been the drag 200kms north of Basra, taking 2RTR up to Almera to clear pockets of resistance. On this particular journey most of the lads manage to square away some Iraqi notes, complete with a picture of a proud Saddam on one side, what a souvenir they will make. Even more impressive would be the life-size picture of the former dictator in full military attire, this will certainly liven up our workshop bar back in Fally. Saving the best to last in the abandoned Iraqi T55 tank that AQMS Drew Jardine just could not live without, although how he intends to smuggle it past the monkeys and out of theatre is yet to be seen.

Two months on and 16 Tank Transporter Squadron's availability has never fallen below 90%. I think the whole of the fitter section deserve a big pat on the back, for keeping these 20 year old beasts soon to be replaced with the Oshkosh on the road. Approaching what we hope is the half-way point of our tour and the Squadron having covered nearly 500,000km, wouldn't it be an achievement to leave theatre with a total distance of one million kilometers driven.'

In a letter home Adams also comments further on the war:

'Have been in Kuwait for 24 hours and am sitting 25 miles off the Iraqi border. My world has gone mad, it's like something off a film, fighter jets patrolling the skies, helicopters as common as magpies. With one day in the desert I've already experienced scorpions, lizards, camels and a sand storm. Living conditions ain't up to much, but we try and make things as comfy as we can. My bed is on the back of a truck (which I'm v. pleased about considering the scorpions!!!).'

Another, following the invasion, dated 30 March 2003:

'As you learnt in my last letter I can now put a pin in another country, Iraq. It was quite an experience. We crossed the border at 0800hrs local time and drove through to Basra International Airport. Here we picked up 16 A.S. 90's (big guns that you would think are tanks). After boarding the AS90's we drive around the outskirts of Basra and dropped them off 5kms to the west of the city. I was also lucky enough to see them fire, it was a formidable sight.'

Sold together with three handwritten letters and a CD containing a plethora of original, unpublished images of the Iraq War.

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

Sold for
£230

Starting price
£80