British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The exceptional Korean War M.C. group of nine awarded to Brigadier A. D. ‘Tony’ Firth, O.B.E., M.C., Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, a veteran of the Burma Campaign who was decorated for his gallant command of ‘B’ Company during the Battle of the Hook. His citation states: ‘although under constant pressure he remained completely calm and inspired his men with confidence and the determination to fight’, he is described in another account of the action as being ‘imperturbable in all circumstances’ having ‘been brought up to believe that the British always won all wars in which they were involved’ - a fitting mantra considering that the Chinese were said to have outnumbered the British by five to one in this epic action

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type; Military Cross, E.II.R., reverse officially dated 1953 and additionally inscribed ‘Major A. D. Firth, M.B.E.; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals; Korea 1950-53 (Major A. D. Firth, M.B.E., D.W.R.); U.N. Korea; Coronation 1953, generally nearly extremely fine (9)
£18000-22000

O.B.E. London Gazette 2 June 1962.

M.B.E. London Gazette 28 June 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘Throughout the period of operations from 9 April to 15 Jul 1944, Major Firth has been Staff Officer of 76 column 2 D.W.R. Never for a moment has he ceased to maintain the highest standards of efficiency, in all matters whether operational or administrative; both in face of the enemy and in the everyday work of the column. He has allowed neither sickness nor fatigue at any time to impair the quality of his work. Apart from his duties as Staff Officer, he has successfully commanded detachments in operations. His example and high sense of duty have been an inspiration to all ranks.’

M.C. London Gazette 8 December 1953. The original recommendation states:

‘Major Firth has commanded a rifle company in action for many months. Under very trying conditions he has kept his company up to a first class standard of fighting efficiency and by his ceaseless interest in the welfare of his men, he has ensured that morale has remained high.




His company was severely tested for many days before and during the Chinese attack on to the Hook position, being subjected to repeated probing attacks and very heavy shelling. Major Firth, although under constant pressure remained completely calm and inspired his men with confidence and the determination to fight. Without regard to his own safety, he moved constantly around his position organising the defence works, perfecting fire plans and encouraging his men. Owing to his own tireless efforts and superb guidance and to the high morale of his men, the company fought the Chinese with great gallantry and skill.

Major Firth’s personal courage, outstanding leadership and high sense of duty throughout the Korean war have been an example and inspiration to the officers and men of the Regiment.’

The following is extracted from the book, Fortune Favours The Brave, by A. J. Barker:

‘B’ Company, commanded by Major Tony Firth who had held the appointment originally intended for Major Austin (whose Korean War M.C. group was sold by D.N.W. in June 2007 for £26,000) as Lieutenant Colonel Bunbury’s battle adjutant, was destined to take over the key positions on the Hook proper. Tony Firth was a model of what a first-class professional soldier should be. Imperturbable in all circumstances, he was alert, understanding and competent; he handled the men under him with sympathetic firmness and his officers with a tact devoid of subservience. He could cope with the unpredictable, was a hard worker, but knew how to enjoy leisure and had in his personality a strong tinge of humour blended with a sense of the ridiculous. Intensely loyal to Lieutenant Colonel Bunbury, and to regimental tradition, Firth had been brought up to assume that the British always won all wars in which they were involved. If he had any chinks in his armour as a soldier they might have been derived from this belief, and his concern for the officers and men for whom he was responsible.’

The main Chinese assault on the Hook began on the night of 26-27 May, when, following a heavy calibre artillery bombardment, a wave of infantry overran the Dukes’ forward positions in a fierce hand-to-hand encounter. Simultaneously, three separate waves of the enemy attacked from the “Ronson Spur”, but were repelled with heavy loss. But with characteristic bugle-blowing fanaticism, the enemy returned in force, again and again, their ranks being filled by an estimated eight companies, from three battalions - the whole specially trained and outnumbering the Dukes by an estimated five to one. But at length, after 48 hours of constant action, the Dukes gained the upper hand, and pushed back the Chinese in a series of gallant counter-attacks.

Brigadier Anthony Denys Firth, O.B.E., M.C. was born on 29 May 1919, being commissioned into the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in the rank of Second Lieutenant in January 1939; promoted Lieutenant, January 1941 and War Substantive Captain, July 1942. During the Second World War he served in India and Burma with the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (awarded M.B.E.). A memoir written by him detailing his services in this theatre is held by the Department of Documents at the Imperial War Museum. He was promoted to the rank of Major in July 1943, which rank he still held during the Korean War when he gained the award of the M.C.; Lieutenant Colonel in March 1960; Colonel in May 1963 and Brigadier in December 1966, before retiring from the army in March 1968.