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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 191

Pair: Fusilier E. Hughes, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, who was wounded in action at the Battle of Kan-Dong

Korea 1950-53 (22526625 Fus. E. Hughes. RNF.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, good very fine (2)

The Battle of Kan-Dong was one of fiercest fought by 1st Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in the Korean War: sited on the flank of 1st Gloucestershire Regiment (who were guarding the Imjin Crossing), the four 1st Battalion companies were spread out and unable to give supporting fire to each other. At 05.15 hrs on the 3rd January all four companies were attacked and surrounded and for the whole morning were subjected to intense mortar and small arms fire. At 14.15 hours a bayonet counter-attack led by the Commanding Officer and supported by tanks of 'C' Squadron, 7th Royal Tank Regiment, regained the positions. It was successful but 'Casualties were Grievous': two officers and 14 other ranks were killed, and four officers and 41 other ranks were wounded - one of the wounded was Fusilier E. Hughes.

For this action the Company Commander of 'Y' Company was awarded the Military Cross for his part in holding the hill; Sergeant John Pilcher (Mortar Platoon Sergeant) was awarded the Military Medal for taking over the Platoon after his Platoon Commander was wounded and maintaining mortar fire for eight hours while under continuous fire; and Lance-Corporal Joseph Oven (Battalion Senior Stretcher Bearer) was also awarded the Military Medal for establishing a First Aid Post in No-Man's Land and tending the wounded under fire for nine hours until relieved by the counter-attack.

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Sold for
£400

Starting price
£190