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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 202

A post-War Malaya 1958 M.B.E. group of six awarded to Major (Hon. Colonel) A. J. Stead, King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster), late 5-12th Frontier Force Rifles (Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides Infantry), who made a courageous and extraordinary 200-mile seaborne escape from Singapore in a sampan, just before the Garrison capitulated to the Japanese invader

The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire, Military Division, Members (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Arabian Peninsula, Malaya (Capt. A. J. Stead. King's Own), mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (6)

Provenance:
Sotheby's, November 1999.

M.B.E. London Gazette 23 May 1958. The original Recommendation states:

'For the past twenty months Major Stead has worked unceasingly as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, HQ 17 Ghurkha Division for the benefit of the troops engaged in jungle operations against the Communist terrorists in Malaya. During this time he has never once spared himself, and has continued to work through long and arduous periods far in excess of those required in the normal course of duty. By his unselfish devotion to his task he has set a fine example to those about him and as a result, cheerful, unstinted and efficient service has been given to the troops on the ground.

During an extremely trying period of personal anxiety, he showed a marked determination to put service before self. He never once allowed personal considerations to interfere with his task. It is true to say that this officer's work over the period covered has made an outstanding contribution to the general well-being and efficiency of the soldiers in Malaya and although somewhat removed from them, his efforts on their behalf has very largely contributed to their successes against the enemy'.

Alfred John Stead was born on 27 August 1921 at London, the son of Colonel E. A.Stead M.C., Indian Army. Educated at Wellington College and a member of the shooting VIII, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant into the Indian Army on 10 September 1941. Stead arrived in Malaya as part of the very last draft of the 12th Frontier Force Rifles to go to that theatre. Having served with a mixed unit, together with one other officer he was lucky indeed to have escaped from Singapore in a sampan. The pair performed the extraordinary feat of navigating the seas and arrived into Sumatra, being evacuated by the Royal Navy in the nick of time (Regimental History, refers).

Stead then served with PAIFORCE until 1945 with the 5th Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Rifles, and transferred to the King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) in 1949. Married at the Royal Military Chapel, Sandhurst, he served with his Regiment in the Arabian Peninsula, Malaya and in Kenya after the Mau Mau, he retired in 1976 and died in Surrey in 1994; sold together with a bound folder of copied research.


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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£450