Three: Gunner E. Gibson, 170 Independent Mortar Battery, Royal Artillery

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (22264646 Gnr., R.A.); Korea 1950-53, 1st issue, (22264646 Gnr., R.A.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed; together with U.S.A., Presidential Unit Citation bar, nearly extremely fine (4) £240-280

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Small Collection of Medals Relating to the Battle of the River Imjin.

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Not granted permission to wear the Presidential Unit Citation. With copied nominal roll of members of 170 Independent Mortar Battery as at 10 October 1950 - includes Gibson.

170 Independent Mortar Battery was hastily formed in August 1950 and although they had a training exercise in Wales they did not fire their mortars until they arrived in Korea. They sailed as part of 29 Independent Brigade from Southampton on the 10 October 1950 and consisted of three troops of 4.2-inch mortars with a total of 203 all ranks. This included six members of the A.C.C. and one R.A.M.C. The Battery moved north through Pyongyang then withdrew with the rest of the Brigade and by 21 April 1951 were sited in close support along the River Imjin. ‘A’ Troop was in support of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, ‘B’ Troop in support of the Royal Ulster Rifles and ‘C’ Troop in support of the Glosters. During the three-day battle the Battery was in continuous action and fired a total of 12,000 rounds. For their gallantry in support of the Glosters, ‘C’ Troop was awarded the Presidential Citation. It was initially believed that the whole of 170 Battery would be recipients of the award and Presidential Citation Insignia were issued. Later it was announced that only ‘C’ Troop would receive this honour and Gunner Gibson, being a member of another troop, was not granted permission to wear this insignia.