Miniature Medals

An outstanding and rare ‘Cyprus’ M.M. pair awarded to Corporal Patrick Shaughnessy, Royal Ulster Rifles

Military Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (23284084 A/Cpl. P. Shaughnessy, R.U.R.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (Cpl., R.U.R.) mounted court style as worn, contained in a fitted case; together with an enamelled brooch, inscribed ‘Veteran Cyprus 1955-59’, good very fine (2) £4000-5000

See Colour Plate II

M.M. London Gazette 4 November 1958. ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Cyprus: Corporal (acting) Patrick Shaughnessy, The Royal Ulster Rifles. For courage, initiative and devotion to duty in attacking a building in the face of heavy terrorist fire. He assisted the wounded and contributed much to the successful conclusion of the operation.’

The following details are taken from the official recommendation: ‘During a cordon and search operation at LIOPETRI on 1/2 September 1958 fire was opened with automatic weapons on the cordon. The assailants escaped back into the village.

Subsequently information was obtained that they were alleged to be hiding in a barn in the centre of the village. The barn was surrounded and the occupants called upon to come out. Troops entered the barn and started to remove the chaff therein upon which the terrorists, who were concealed in the chaff, opened fire with automatic weapons and a soldier was wounded. 36 grenades and Gas Grenades were thrown through the door of the barn, but, the men inside kept up a steady fire through loopholes in the walls. One terrorist was shot dead and he fell out through the doorway.

Eleven rounds of 3.5 Rocket Launcher were fired at the embrasures and the building was stormed by 2 sections under an officer. Despite the very heavy fire still coming from within the barn this officer established himself with 4 men on the verandah of the house, of which the barn was part, immediately outside the barn doorway.

The party were temporarily pinned down by fire and one terrorist came out of the barn doorway firing a sub machine gun. Cpl Shaughnessy, who had expended all his ammunition, threw a piece of masonry at the terrorist and knocked him down, he snatched the man’s weapon and another rifleman shot him.

Shaughnessy then dragged clear the officer and rifleman who had been wounded, took one of their weapons and endeavoured to break into the barn. Under cover of his attack the wounded were removed from the immediate danger area. The 2 remaining terrorists were subsequently driven out and killed.

Cpl Shaughnessy showed complete disregard for his own safety and by his initiative and resource restored what might have become an awkward situation when his officer was wounded. His action in dragging the officer clear undoubtedly saved him from being wounded a second time. Cpl Shaughnessy by his devotion to duty set a splendid example and his conduct clearly led to the successful conclusion of the operation.’

Only 4 Military Medals were awarded for operations against E.O.K.A. terrorists in Cyprus; the other three M.M’s are all accounted for in museums. This award is unique to the Royal Ulster Rifles and the last M.M. won by the regiment. The barn at Leopetri is now a national monument, rebuilt by the Greeks, and including a bronze statue of the four ‘E.O.K.A. Freedom Fighters’. A photograph of this monument is included with the lot.

The pair is sold with further research detail, including an extract from the regimental journal Quis Seperabit which gives further details of the farmyard siege in Liopetri; a five page typescript account of the action written by Rifleman John Rickard, who was present at the Battle of Liopetri; and several copied photographs of the barn, taken shortly after the action; and also of the dead EOKA terrorists.