Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 126

A 'Lofoten Raid 1940' group of five awarded to Trooper K. R. F. Nicol, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment attached No 3 Commando, late 1st (Royal Dragoons), who was not only present for 'Operation Claymore' but also was later part of 61 Column during Operation Thursday 1944, making Nicol both a Commando and a Chindit

General Service Medal 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (1397117 Tpr. K. R. F. Nicol. The Royals); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, mounted as worn, sold together with the recipient's original Burma Star Association membership booklet, edge bruise, very fine (5)

Kenneth Robert Frederick Nicol was born at Reigate, Surrey in 1919 and enlisted into the Honourable Artillery Company before joining the 1st (Royal) Dragoons on 26 June 1938. He served with this regiment in Palestine during the 1936-39 Arab Revolt, but transferred to the 10th (Royal) Hussars on 6 August 1939.

Volunteering for special service, Nicol was assigned to No. 3 Commando on 7 July 1940, barely a month after the formation was created. 250 officers and men from this unit- including Nicol- were selected to join 'Operation Claymore', the successful British Commando raid on the Norwegian Lofoten Islands on 4 March 1941.

Both No. 3 and 4 Commandos were chosen for the assault, the former under Colonel Durnford-Slater. Transported aboard L.S.I. Queen Emma, they reached the Lofotens on 4 March. The raid was a great success, the combined attacking force destroying 18 cod-liver oil factories (capable of producing nitro-glycerine) and taking around 215 prisoners, in addition to embarking over 300 Norwegians. They further seized a set of rotor wheels for an Enigma Machine and the attendant code books.

Nicol then served in India with the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment from 29 September 1943. Part of Brodie's 61st Column, 14th ('Javelin') Infantry Brigade, this regiment took part 'Operation Thursday', the Chindit campaign of 1944.

Rather than inserting by Glider this formation marched into Burma, travelling through the Jungle and occasionally by river, via inflatable rafts. This gruelling trek was successful and achieved total surprise, the Brigade managed to locate, just outside Indaw a dump which proved to be supplying the entire Japanese force in North Burma. It was destroyed by an airstrike, crippling their enemy although their ultimate goal of Indaw itself had been reinforced and was beyond them to capture.

Nicol moved to Canada with his family in 1956, becoming a constructional engineer. A member of the Burma Star Association, he died in London, Ontario in 1989; sold with the recipient's Burma Star Association Membership booklet.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£320