The Rhodesia General Service Medal awarded to Lance-Sergeant I. Mbamchena, British South Africa Police (Support Unit), a recipient of the Commissioner’s Special Commendation Silver Baton for Bravery after he tracked a group of terrorists when suffering from a head wound

Rhodesia General Service Medal (25288L./Sgt. I. Mbamchena), together with Commissioner’s Special Commendation “Silver Baton” mounted on green riband for wearing, good very fine £200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Keith Holshausen Collection.

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Commissioner’s Special Commendation Force Orders 810/78, the citation for which states:

‘In recognition of the courage, professional ability and devotion to duty displayed by him during anti-terrorist operations in the Operation Repulse Area over the period 14-15 May 1978. During an engagement with terrorists on the 14 May 1978, Constable Mbamchena sustained a serious bullet wound to his head which restricted his vision. Despite this he continued to return the enemy fire, firing his weapon with one hand until the engagement was broken off. The next day at first light, and whilst in considerable pain, he tracked the fleeing terrorists for a distance of 5 kilometres. Constable Mbamchena is hereby granted the right to wear the insignia of the Silver Baton.’

Isaac Mbamchena, who came from the Sipolilo area of Rhodesia, joined the British South Africa Police in July 1977 - his father was Head Cook at Royal Salisbury Golf Club and he had brothers serving in the C.I.D. and Rhodesian Army. Posted to the B.S.A.P’s Support Unit, he went on to serve in a counter insurgency role in operational areas, early annual reports citing his ‘aggressive personality’ and qualification in tracking, assets that stood him in good stead come May 1978. Advanced to Lance-Sergeant in early May of the following year, while serving in Kilo Troop in the Operation Hurricane area, he was wounded in a terrorist ambush on the 29th of that month, when his vehicle was attacked by rockets and small arms fire - nine men were wounded on the same occasion.

Sold with the recipient’s original B.S.A.P. Commissioner’s Special Commendation Certificate, in its blue presentation folder, in addition to copied research.