A Korea War casualty’s pair awarded to 2nd Lieutenant C. P. R. M. Hoare, Royal Fusiliers, who won a posthumous mention in despatches for his ‘magnificent example’ during “Operation Pimlico” in November 1952

Korea 1950-53, M.I.D. oak leaf (2/Lt. C. R. P. M. Hoare, R.F.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, lacquered, extremely fine (2)
£3000-3500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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Mention in despatches (posthumous) London Gazette 23 January 1953. The original recommendation states:

‘2nd Lieutenant Hoare led his platoon on the night of 24-25 November 1952, having been ordered to establish a firm base on the mound at the western end of the Kigong-Ni ridge and to capture a prisoner if the opportunity arose.

The platoon left the mine gap at 1804 hours. On hearing movement in the valley to his left en route to the objective, 2nd Lieutenant Hoare ordered one section to cover him whilst he and the remainder of the platoon went to investigate. During this manoeuvre his cover section shot and wounded a Chinaman who ran off into the bushes. Attracted by this noise, 2nd Lieutenant Hoare and his party rejoined the cover section and he organised a temporary defensive position. he then discarded his equipment and armoured vest because of the weight and went in search of the wounded Chinaman and brought him into the platoon area. This prisoner then died.

By 1927 hours the platoon was established on its objective and was mortared at intervals till midnight.

Between 0100 hours and 0500 hours the enemy attacked with Burp guns and concussion grenades several times. After the first wave and in spite of wounds, 2nd Lieutenant Hoare went after the retreating enemy throwing a phosphorous grenade and shouting “Come on Chinkee, surrender” and until his death at approximately 0230 hours, 2nd Lieutenant Hoare moved energetically amongst his platoon, shouting encouragement and orders when required and calling and directing defensive fire.

By the magnificent example of 2nd Lieutenant Hoare, shown on many previous occasions, his platoon were inspired. They refused to leave the wounded and dying, and fought on, and ever closing in on the centre, with the wounded they fought back to back.

At dawn all those known to be alive, which numbered six wounded, helped each other back in pairs through mortar and artillery fire.’

Christopher Ratcliff Pierce Malcolm Hoare was born in Richmond, Yorkshire in September 1931, and was educated at Stonyhurst and the R.M.A. Sandhurst. Granted a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers in November 1951, he landed in Korea with the 1st Battalion in June 1952, where he was appointed a Platoon Commander in ‘D’ Company. Where, too, poignantly, he was photographed at the head of his platoon just one hour before setting off to accomplish the objectives of “Operation Pimlico”.

Hoare is buried in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Pusan, Korea; sold with related research, including a full account of “Pimlico”, as published in the Royal Fusiliers Chronicle in May 1953.