Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Property of the Recipient

An exceptional and very rare Northern Ireland Q.G.M. and Bar group of four awarded to Warrant Officer Class 1 Brian J. Gregory, The Parachute Regiment and Special Air Service

Queen’s Gallantry Medal, with Second Award Bar, the reverse of the Bar officially dated ‘11th October 1988’ (24322198 Cpl. Brian J. Gregory, Para) with case of issue; General Service 1962, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24322198 Cpl., Para); Accumulated Campaign Service Medal, with one clasp (24322198 Sgt., Q.G.M., S.A.S.) with named card box of issue; Regular Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (24322198 Sgt., S.A.S.) mounted Court style as worn, extremely fine (4) £12000-15000

See Colour Plate VIII

Q.G.M. London Gazette 17 April 1984: ‘In recognition of gallantry in Northern Ireland during the period 1st May 1983 to 30th September 1983.’

Bar to Q.G.M. London Gazette 27 October 1992: ‘In recognition of gallantry in Northern Ireland during the period 1st October 1987 to 31st March 1988. To be dated 11th October 1988.’ It is usual practise for awards to the S.A.S. and other special forces not to be published in the London Gazette for several years after the actual award has been made.

Brian James Gregory was born on 30 January 1945, and enlisted at Preston on 27 February 1973, aged 19, after serving a short apprenticeship as a Mechanical Engineer. He served in the Parachute Regimant for eight years, reaching the rank of Corporal, and, in 1981, he joined Special Forces and served in the Special Air Service from 1 October 1986 until his discharge on 1 May 1998. The following testimonial is taken from his original Certificate of Service:

‘Warrant Officer Class 1 Gregory joined the Parachute Regiment in 1973. After his basic training he attended several tactics and weaponry courses. He achieved the high standards required and continued to serve as an Infantryman before volunteering for specialist training in 1981.

In 1981 Warrant Officer Gregory passed an arduous selection course for plain clothes surveillance work in Northern Ireland. He then deployed to the Province to serve in numerous appointments. His training in close target recognise, surveillance, close quarter battle and advanced driving was rigorously tested in a harsh operational environment. He was widely respected as a thoroughly professional soldier and leader. He has much experience in planning complex and highly sensitive Counter-Terrorist operations. He has been decorated twice with the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for bravery; a testament to his courage and ability to operate effectively under the most arduous and exacting conditions.’

In his C.V., Gregory states: ‘I served in Northern Ireland for 9 years where I worked undercover carrying out close surveillance on terrorist suspects, this involved getting dangerously close to the terrorists whilst working mostly alone. In August 1986 I was awarded the G.O.C’s Commendation for one such operation. I was formally discharged from the Army on May 01 1998 and from May 1998 to April 1999 I worked in Colombia SA as an Area Security Manager for British Petroleum. In charge of security on one and sometimes numerous oil rigs in a very hostile environment. In May 1999 I was employed as a Nato Liaison Officer in Albania during the Kosovo conflict. My duties included aid agency security, refugee camp security and Nato Liaison on behalf of 49 aid agencies. During my 25 years of Army service I have spent 17 years with Special Forces, 9 years on covert Surveillance Operations, and 8 years instructing covert Surveillance, reaching the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1. Whilst I was serving with Special Forces I was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal twice, G.O.C. Northern Ireland’s Commendation and the Accumulated Service Medal and Bar.’

Brian Gregory was due to take up an appointment as surveillance manager at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, Uganda, in September last year when he suffered a sudden heart attack. By selling his medals he is hoping to raise sufficient funds to pay for an urgently needed double by-pass operation for which he otherwise faces a two year waiting list on the NHS.

The group is accompanied by a copy of his Regular Army Certificate of Service, a Ministry of Defence letter to attend an Investiture to be held at Buckingham Palace on 30 October 1984 to receive the Q.G.M., and eight original letters of congratulation for his Bar to Q.G.M., including ones from Brigadier H. M. Rose, C.B.E., Q.G.M., Director Special Forces, ‘I know that this honour was principally for a very important and delicate operation and it is right that you should receive this recognition.’; Lieut.-Colonel K. Mallett, M.B.E., ITU (UKLF), ‘The award was well deserved and very popular with all elements of the SAS Group, particularly those concerned with operations in Northern Ireland.’; Lieut.-General Sir John Walters, K.C.B., C.B.E., H.Q. Northern Ireland, ‘I am delighted that your outstanding performance whilst serving with your unit on a second tour of duty has been recognised in this way. You have had to work once again in a most demanding area requiring the highest degree of professionalism. Throughout you displayed great coolness and courage in the face of much danger.’; Major General R. J. Hodges, O.B.E., Commander Land Forces, H.Q. Northern Ireland, ‘It reflects the importance of your contribution whilst serving with your unit during your recent tour to the anti-terrorist campaign. You worked in a most demanding environment requiring the highest degree of personal and professional standards, there was no leeway for mistakes. This you coped with very well and achieved a tremendous amount. Several Police Officers and civilians owe their lives to your actions in particular during the latter part of 1987.’