Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Korea M.M. group of three awarded to Acting Corporal R. Lofthouse, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, attached Durham Light Infantry, who was decorated for his part in inflicting serious loss on the enemy by laying an ambush at the “Alice Springs” feature in July 1953 - an action in which he was wounded

Military Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (22524254 A./Cpl. R. Lofthouse, K.O.Y.L.I.); Korea 1950-53 (22524254 Pte. R. Lofthouse, M.M., D.L.I.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, the second with official correction to surname, good very fine or better (3)
£8000-10000

M.M. London Gazette 8 December 1953. The original recommendation states:

‘Corporal Lofthouse has served for eight months in Korea in a rifle company, during which time he has carried out twenty eight patrols. On all of these he has shown himself a most skilful, resourceful and fearless leader. He has inspired the men he has led with great confidence and been able to imbue them with his own offensive fighting spirit.

On one particular occasion, when with four men he comprised the reconnaissance element of an ambush sited on the saddle between the features Alice Springs and Surrey Hills, his party observed two enemy scouts crawling over the top of the hill. Corporal Lofthouse coolly ordered his men to remain quiet and to watch. The two enemy, thinking the hill unoccupied waved to their main body of ten to join them. This they did and Corporal Lofthouse, having waited patiently until they bunched, opened heavy automatic fire at close range killing five of them. The remainder fled in confusion. Corporal Lofthouse then, having first engaged a second group which was close behind the first, withdrew with no casualties to the main ambush position. As soon as he arrived, the enemy, now about thirty strong walked straight into the main ambush and fierce firefight developed. During this action Corporal Lofthouse was wounded but he coolly continued to control the fire of his group until the patrol finally withdrew.

Throughout the period 1-27 July, Corporal Lofthouse has fully maintained the outstanding qualities of leadership, courage and determination he has displayed in action during the whole of his time in Korea.’

An accompanying hand written statement written by him includes the following account of the action fought between the Alice Springs and Surrey Hills features:

As a Section Commander in Korea, I was responsible for leading many patrols into “No Man's Land” (i.e., recce, fighting, ambush, standing, listening-watch, etc.). On one occasion and with two other members of my platoon (Dawson and Caspar) we actually snatched a prisoner (Chinese Volunteer Forces) from his own forward lines. I had taken part in some 36 patrols of varying types when I was chosen to lead a “Decoy” party onto a feature in “No Man's Land”, code named “Alice Springs”. Intelligence had informed us that an assault on this area was expected, and we were to lead the Chinese raiding party into a 20 man ambush. The “Decoy” consisted of myself, Gordon Munday, Freddie Fry, George Pearson and Bert Wood, and all armed with Sten S.M.Gs. We occupied the feature “Alice Springs” for approximately 1 1/2 hours before the assault came. In fact, it was a full frontal Brigade level attack on our own position Hill 355, commonly known as “Little Gibraltar”, being the highest feature in the area.

Somewhat taken aback by the strength of the enemy assault, we held our fire until they were within 15 feet of our hidden locations. On my signal, each member of “Decoy” party opened fire, emptying a full magazine of 9mm. into the approaching enemy. Quickly changing magazines, we effected a withdrawal movement leading the following assault party into the waiting ambush some 500 yards away. During this action surprisingly the “Decoy” suffered no fatalities, although every one of the five members were wounded.’

Robert “Bob” Lofthouse, who was born in 1932, and a native of Adwick-le-Street, near Doncaster, enlisted in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in July 1950. Having received is M.M. at a Buckingham Palace investiture in December 1955, he was transferred to the Army Reserve, and was finally discharged in July 1966.