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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 201

Pair: Private J. McMahon, The King's Regiment, who was wounded in action on 22 May 1953

Korea 1950-53 (2265644113 Pte. J. McMahon. Kings.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, the second mounted for wear, minor contact marks, very fine (2)

J. McMahon was serving with The King's Regiment when, on the night of 20 May, Chinese forces commenced a sustained bombardment of the Hook - then defended by the Duke of Wellington's Regiment - in preparation for a major attack. In order to create a diversion from this enemy attack, a Fighting Patrol from the Kings were tasked to conduct a night-time raid on a nearby Chinese position known as 'Pheasant'. The Plan, called 'OP BEAVER', was for 'B' Company, 5 Platoon (commanded by 2nd Lieutenant John Caws) to execute the actual attack. Unfortunately, on approaching 'Pheasant' in the darkness, the patrol ran into an uncharted minefield and of 16 men in the platoon 10 were wounded, including 2nd Lieutenant Caws and National Serviceman Private J. McMahon. The patrol then withdrew, carrying all their wounded and covered by protective artillery and mortar fire. 2nd Lieutenant Caws was evacuated to the NORMASH and was killed many years later in a motorbike accident in Ireland; sold together with a photograph, taken in the NORMASH by 2nd Lieutenant Parritt, of John Caws (on right) with a Duke of Wellington's Regiment officer who had been wounded at the Hook.


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Sold for
£380

Starting price
£100