Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 340

(x) A fine campaign group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 R. K. Stephens, Royal Australian Regiment, a veteran of the campaigns in Borneo and Vietnam, who was killed in a training accident in 1976

Australia, Active Service Medal 1945-72, 2 clasps, Malaysia, Vietnam (54252 R K Stephens); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Borneo (54252 R. K. Stephens); Vietnam 1964-73 (54252 R. K. Stephens); Australia, Defence Force Service Medal (54252 R K Stephens); Australian Defence Medal (54252 R. K. Stephens); Vietnam, Campaign Medal, clasp, 1960- (54252 R. K. Stephens); Malaysia, Pingat Jasa, this engraved '54252 R K Stephens', mounted court-style, second and third very fine, the remainder better (7)

Raymond Keith Stephens was born on 5 April 1937 at Albany, Western Australia and was a carpenter by trade upon his joining the 17th Training Battalion on 17 March 1958. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, he transferred to the 4th Battalion in October 1958. Having completed his three years, he re-enlisted on 28 February 1961 for further service with the 2nd Battalion. Having served in Malaysia, he was admitted to hospital in September 1962 and was made Lance-Corporal with the Mortar Platoon Support Company. With the 4th Battalion raised in February 1964, he was made Corporal and completed his First Aid course and a Demolition course in 1965, being present in their tour of Sarawak from 26 April-26 August 1966, made Sergeant whilst on Operations. Having engaged the enemy on a number of occasions, the unit were once again out in the field. This time they went off to Vietnam from 14 May 1968-30 May 1969; his unit lost some 20 killed and 134 wounded during that tour.

He was made Warrant Officer Class 2 with the 2nd Royal New South Wales Regiment, 162 (Recce) Squadron in August 1975. Stephens was tragically mortally wounded on 7 December 1976 whilst conducting grenade practice and died twelve days later at the Prince Alfred Hospital; sold together with outer card sleeves for three of the Australian Medals and copied research.

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

Sold for
£1,400

Starting price
£450