Six: Gunner T. Ormesher, ‘C’ Troop, 170 Independent Mortar Battery, Royal Artillery, who was taken P.O.W. at Imjin River on 25 April 1951 - and subsequently among those awarded the U.S. Presidential Citation

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (889081 Gnr. T. Ormesher, R.A.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, together with U.S. Presidential Citation Riband Bar, good very fine (7) £1200-1500

Sold with the original U.S. Presidential Citation, which appeared in General Orders, No. 286, of the United States Army Korea (EUSAK), on 8 May 1951, and was approved by the British Army Council for publication in AO 65 of 1951, the base of the printed citation stating:

‘889081 Gnr. T. Ormisher was with ‘C’ Troop, 170th Independent Mortar Battery, Royal Artillery at Solma-Ri, Korea and for his services is entitled to wear, at all times on the appropriate occasion, the emblem of the United States Presidential Citation.’

The citation describes the actions of ‘C’ Troop and the 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment in the following terms:

‘The 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, British Army, and C Troop, 170th Independent Mortar Battery, Royal Artillery, attached, are cited for exceptionally outstanding performance of duty and extraordinary heroism in action against the armed enemy near Solma-ri, Korea, on the 23, 24 and 25 April 1951. The 1st Battalion and C Troop were defending a very critical sector of the battle front during a determined attack by the enemy. The defending units were overwhelmingly outnumbered. The 83rd Chinese Communist Army drove the full force of its savage assault at the positions held by the 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, and attached unit. The route of supply ran south-east from the Battalion between two hills. The hills dominated the surrounding terrain north-west to the Imjin River. Enemy pressure built up on the Battalion front during the day, 23 April. On 24 April the weight of the attack had driven the right flank of the Battalion back. The pressure grew heavier and heavier and the Battalion and attached unit were forced into a perimeter defence on Hill 235. During the night, heavy enemy forces had by-passed the staunch defenders and closed all avenues of escape. The courageous soldiers of the Battalion and attached unit were holding the critical route selected by the enemy for one column of the general offensive designed to encircle and destroy 1 Corps. These gallant soldiers would not retreat. As they were compressed tighter and tighter in their perimeter defence, they called for close-in air strikes to assist in holding firm. Completely surrounded by tremendous numbers, these indomitable, resolute, and tenacious soldiers fought back with unsurpassed fortitude and courage. As ammunition ran low and the advancing hordes moved closer and closer, these splendid soldiers fought back viciously to prevent the enemy from overrunning the position and moving rapidly to the south. Their heroic stand provided the critically needed time to re-group other 1 Corps units and block the southern advance of the enemy. Time and again efforts were made to reach the Battalion, but the enemy strength blocked each effort. Without thought of defeat or surrender, this heroic force demonstrated superb battlefield courage and discipline. Every yard of ground they surrendered was covered with enemy dead until the last gallant soldier of the fighting battalion was over-powered by the final surge of the enemy masses. The 1st battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment and C Troop, 170th Independent Mortar Battery displayed such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing their mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set them apart and above other units participating in the same battle. Their sustained brilliance in battle, their resoluteness, and extraordinary heroism are in keeping with the finest traditions of the renowned military forces of the British Commonwealth, and reflect unsurpassed credit on these courageous soldiers and their homeland.’