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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 200

Pair: Corporal T. Entwistle, Kings Regiment, who served as a section commander during the 'C' Company attack on the three caves, 'Rip' 'Van' and 'Winkle', being wounded in the assault on 20 June 1953

Korea 1950-53 (22525515 Cpl. T. Entwistle. Kings.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, the second mounted for wear, minor contact marks, very fine (2)

T. Entwistle was trained as a sniper prior to the battalion departing for Korea. During the three desperate attempts to capture the Hook position from the U.S. Marines, the Black Watch and the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, the Chinese infantry had suffered severe casualties from air-burst artillery shells. In order, therefore, to reduce the vulnerable distance between their start line and 'The Duke's' forward position, they began to dig three caves on the reverse slopes closer to the British line; These three caves were called 'Rip', 'Van' and 'Winkle'.

To destroy the three caves a composite force of 'C' Company 1st Kings, together with Royal Engineers carrying explosive charges on poles, were tasked to move at night through No Mans Land and blow them up. The attack was successful and the caves were destroyed, but casualties were severe: three Kingsmen were killed and 19 wounded including Corporal T. Entwistle and Kingsman J. Graham, plus five Sappers, three Korean Soldiers attached to 1st King's, and the Artillery F.O.O., 2nd Lieutenant Brian Parritt, Royal Artillery. The M.C. citation of 2nd Lieutenant John Williams provides further detail to the attack, stating:

'Here, covered by the rest of the party, he personally threw grenades into the first cave and stood with the sapper whilst the explosive charge was prepared. On approaching the second cave, however, the raiding party were met with heavy small arms fire. 2 Lt Williams, leaping on top of this cave, threw in a grenade, killing the occupants. By now the enemy, who were in considerable strength were fully alarmed and a fierce hand-to-hand engagement took place.'

Entwistle was a member of the Intelligence section in Korea. When the battalion returned to Hong Kong in 1954 he was promoted Sergeant; sold together with a copied casualty roll, an M.C. recommendation and a letter from Lieutenant General Sir George Cooper K.C.B., M.C. to Colonel B. A. H. Parritt, C.B.E. with an attached article relating his memories of the attack.

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Sold for
£380

Starting price
£110