Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Unique Falklands War ‘Posthumous’ C.G.M. group of four awarded to Staff Sergeant Jim Prescott, 49 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron, Royal Engineers, who was decorated for his exceptional gallantry alongside Warrant Officer John Phillips in rendering safe an unexploded bomb aboard H.M.S. Argonaut on 22 May 1982 and in attempting to defuse the following day an unexploded bomb aboard H.M.S. Antelope, which was in a highly volatile condition and which in the event exploded killing him and seriously wounding Warrant Officer Phillips - Warrant Officer Phillips received a D.S.C. for his gallantry and Sergeant Prescott was awarded the posthumous C.G.M., both of which are unique awards to the British Army in the modern era

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, E.II.R. (23834301 S Sgt, RE); General Service 1962, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (23834301 Sgt, RE); South Atlantic, with rosette (23834301 S Sgt, RE); Regular Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (23834301 Sgt, RE) nearly extremely fine (4) £80000-100000

C.G.M. London Gazette 8 October 1982.

Just three Conspicuous Gallantry Medals have been awarded in the present reign of which this is unique both to the army and as a posthumous award. The other two awards were made for Vietnam (Australian Air Force) and The Gulf War (Royal Navy). The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal became obsolete when the honours system was overhauled in 1993.

The published citation states:

‘On 22nd May 1982 Staff Sergeant Prescott under the command of another NCO of 49 Engineer Explosives Disposal Squadron Royal Engineers were carrying out explosive ordnance disposal duties in the Falkland Islands. They were tasked to deal with an unexploded bomb in the boiler room of H.M.S. Argonaut. Another unexploded bomb lay in a flooded missile magazine nearby. Working in extraordinarily cramped conditions and in very unfamiliar surroundings Staff Sergeant Prescott and the other NCO successfully remotely rendered safe the bomb which was later removed from the ship. This action enabled the damage to the boiler room to be repaired, so that H.M.S. Argonaut regained propulsion and was able to manoeuvre defensively in further air attacks.

On 23rd May 1982, Staff Sergeant Prescott and the NCO were tasked to neutralise two unexploded bombs in H.M.S. Antelope. The first bomb examined could not be approached until extensive clearance of debris had taken place. They therefore set about rendering safe the second bomb which was situated near the centre of the ship. The bomb had been slightly damaged and was assessed as being in a dangerous condition. They tried three times to render the bomb safe using a remote method, having to approach the bomb after each attempt to adjust the equipment, but on each occasion, the fuse could not be withdrawn. After a fourth attempt, which involved using a small charge, the bomb unexpectedly exploded. The blast was considerable. Despite a blast route of open doors and hatches up through the ship, the fully clipped steel door at the forward end of the passageway, where the bomb disposal team was standing, was completely blown off and nearly bent double. Staff Sergeant Prescott died instantly.

Staff Sergeant Prescott displayed courage of the highest order in persevering with attempts to defuse the bomb in H.M.S. Antelope, fully aware that the condition was particularly dangerous.

Sold with two original photographs of recipient; a copy of the R.E. Journal, ‘The Sapper’ featuring recipient; a photograph album containing a number of pictures of Jim Prescott’s widow and two daughters taken after the award ceremony at Buckingham Palace and various shots of San Carlos Cemetery; together with copies of three letters of condolence, comprising:

i. Lieutenant Colonel A. Howgate, Commanding 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD), dated 26 May 1982:

‘There are really no words strong enough to describe the tragic loss of Jim on Sunday. I had only known him for a few months but was already aware that he was undoubtedly one of the best soldiers in the Regiment. Unfortunately he lost his life during his attempt to save others. As you know he and John Phillips had made one bomb safe in another ship thereby saving it and several lives...’

ii. Major-General G. B. Sinclair, CBE, Engineer-in-Chief (Army), dated 9 October 1982:

‘I was very proud to learn that your late husband has posthumously been awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for his valiant action aboard H.M.S. Antelope. May I on behalf of the Corps of Royal Engineers offer you and your family our sincere congratulations on this public recognition for the supreme sacrifice that he made. His undaunted devotion to duty will forever be recorded in the annals of our Corps history.’

iii. Mayor Barry Flack, City of Rochester Upon Medway, dated 27 May 1982.

The D.S.C. and related campaign medals awarded to Warrant Officer John Phillips were sold at DNW on 15 December 2011.

For an extensive filmed interview with Warrant Officer Phillips see the following web links:

http://www.storyvault.com/video/view/bomb_explodes_on_hms_antelope_part_1_falklands_war

http://www.storyvault.com/video/view/bomb_explodes_on_hms_antelope_part_2_falklands_war