Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Korea pair of medals awarded to Private D. A. Gillespie, 1st Battalion The Black Watch, killed in action at ‘The Hook’, 4 November 1952

Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (22251380 Pte. D. A. Gillespie, B.W.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed, this last in named card box of issue, extremely fine (2) £700-900

The ‘Hook’ so named, is a horseshoe shaped ridge between the Samicon and Dong rivers, situated a few miles from the west coast of North Korea. It formed a strategically important position commanding a large area of defensive lines held by the United Nations and dominated the two vital approaches to the River Imjin crossings. The position had initially been taken, after heavy fighting and at great cost, by the 7th U.S. Marines. They were subsequently relieved on 1 November 1952 by elements of the 29th British Infantry Brigade which included the 1st Battalion Black Watch.

On 4 November 1952, a standing patrol or piquet of the Black Watch, commanded by 2nd Lieutenant J. G. M. MacGuigan (Camerons attch.) took position in front of the actual Hook position on the left Divisional front. During the early hours, the patrol was attacked by a strong force of Chinese. A fierce close quarter fire-fight ensued resulting in casualties on both sides. The Black Watch forward positions, alerted but unable to intervene for fear of hitting thier comrades, watched helplessly as overwhelming numbers of Chinese over-ran the position. Lieutenant MacGuigan and seven of his men - including Gillespie were killed, six were wounded, with just three men managing to escape. Later, another patrol was able to recover the bodies of the dead and bring in the wounded. Private Gillespie, aged 25 years at the time of his death, was buried in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery at Daeyon-dong, Pusan, Korea. With copied research.