Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce ‘Crowned Head’ Palestine M.M. pair awarded to Fusilier W. Vines, Royal Scots Fusiliers

Military Medal, G.V.R., 2nd ‘crowned head’ issue (3428344 Fsr. W. Vines, 1-R.S. Fus.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (3128344 Fsr. W. Vines, R.S. Fus.), mounted as worn, good very fine (2) £4000-5000

M.M. London Gazette 6 November 1936:

‘For gallant and distinguished services rendered in connection with the emergency operations in Palestine during the period 15th April to 14th September, 1936.’

Some extracts from The Times provides a glimpse of the situation in Palestine and the combat the Royal Scots Fusiliers were experiencing (’Vines’ mentioned in the last extract):

The Times, Monday 11 May 1936 page 11

'Jerusalem 10 May - A battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers and a Company of Light Tanks from Egypt arrived at Lydda today. It is understood they have been sent at the request of the High Commissioner in view of the present situation, the troops were sent by rail'.

The Times, Monday 22 June 1936 page 14

'Jerusalem 21 June - British troops and aeroplanes,together with police were engaged with armed Arabs near Tulkarm today. The fighting which lasted several hours ended in the retreat of the Arabs, of whom at least ten were killed. The casualties were Sgt Henry Sills, Seaforth Highlanders, and one Private of the Royal Scots Fusiliers killed and three wounded. A convoy on its way to Tel Aviv was ambushed at noon by seventy Arabs, who were immediately engaged by the escort of Royal Scots Fusiliers, which was soon reinforced by troops from Tulkarm. After the engagement aeroplanes landed, picked up the more serious British casualties and took them to hospital'.

The Times, Tuesday 23 June 1936 page 16

'Jerusalem 22 June - British troops were today reported to be still persuing the Arabs who yesterday fought for several hours yesterday against detachments of Seaforth Highlanders and Royal Scots Fusiliers. The Arabs took refuge in caves on the hills . Ten Arabs were known to have been killed and it is estimated about twenty others were wounded'.

An extract from The Times, ‘from our correspondent, Jerusalem, 2 August 1936 reads, ‘.... In the southern district soldiers and police engaged an Arab band at midnight, killing one and wounding another, a soldier named Vines, of The Royal Scots Fusiliers was seriously wounded. ....’