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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 187

An 'Operation Kowang-San' Commando casualty's group of three awarded to Private R. Rowe, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, who was Wounded in Action on 8 October 1951

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (14444293 Pte. R. Rowe. Oxf & Bucks); Korea 1950-53 (14444283 Pte. R. Rowe. K.S.L.I.), note error in service number; U.N. Korea 1950-54, some contact wear to first, overall good very fine (3)

R. Rowe first saw action in Palestine as a member of the 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. As part of 6th Airborne Division, he wore the famous red beret and was heavily involved in counter-terrorist activities. He was in Jerusalem when the King David Hotel was bombed on 22 July 1946. The battalion left Palestine in 1947 and in 1948 was amalgamated with the 1st Battalion.

During the amalgamation Rowe was transferred to the 1st Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry, which was then doing 'Public Duties' in London. He sailed on the Empress of Australia to Hong Kong on 11 August 1950 and then to Korea on the U.D.S. Montrose, arriving in Inchon on the 13 May 1951.

In the major battle of 8 October 1951 when - together with the 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 8th Hussars - they attacked the vital position of Pt355: Rowe suffered severe shrapnel wounds to his right upper leg. After a period in various Hospitals, he was evacuated back to U.K. on the S.S. Fowey and was discharged from the Army on 5 February 1956. For their gallantry in this attack the King's Shropshire Light Infantry were awarded the Battle Honour 'KOWANG SAN'; sold together with a medal roll, casualty roll and correspondence with the Shropshire Regimental Museum.

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Sold for
£520

Starting price
£190