The post-War 1951 Malaya operations M.M. pair awarded to Marine R. G. Hodgkiss, 45 Commando, Royal Marines, who stormed a bandit camp, shot dead a sentry and rushed a Bren gun position: ‘his spirited action took the bandits by surprise and they took to their heels, leaving two dead behind them … ’

Military Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (R.M.8740 Marine. R. G. Hodgkiss. R.M.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (RM.8740 R. G. Hodgkiss Mne RM) mounted as worn, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (2) £3,000-£3,600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

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M.M. London Gazette 20 July 1951: ‘For outstanding courage and leadership in operations in Malaya.’

The original recommendation states:

‘On 13 February 1951, Marine R. C. Hodgkiss was the leading scout of a small patrol in the Bikam Forest, south of Tapah.

The patrol was following a fresh track, when they sighted a camp occupied by some bandits. Signalling to the remainder of the patrol to remain hidden where they were, Hodgkiss stalked the sentry and shot him dead.

With the opening of fire the patrol rushed into the camp where they immediately came under heavy automatic fire. The Iban tracker was wounded and the patrol was pinned in the open. Marine Hodgkiss’s immediate reactions were to throw a couple of smoke grenades and under cover of these rush towards the enemy Bren, firing as he went. His spirited action took the bandits by surprise and they took to their heels leaving two dead behind them. Marine Hodgkiss pressed on in pursuit until the enemy were lost in the thick undergrowth.

Throughout this brief encounter Marine Hodgkiss showed a determination to come to grips with the enemy with no thought for himself, and it was by his determined aggressive example that what might have proved to be an inconclusive encounter was in fact a resounding success.’

Richard George Hodgkiss received his M.M. at a Buckingham Palace investiture held on 3 March 1953.