Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Northern Ireland Gallantry B.E.M. pair awarded to Private David A. Bennett, 3rd Battalion, 1 Queen's Regiment

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL, E.II.R. (Military) with crossed oakleaf emblem for gallantry (24154237 Pte., Queens); CAMPAIGN SERVICE 1962, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24154237 Pte., BEM, Queens) extremely fine and rare (2)

B.E.M. (9), London Gazette, 5 October, 1971. 'On 5 February 1971, Private Bennett was a member of a section guard in the Ardoyne district of Belfast, in a position subjected to stoning by rival factions. During the night, the guard was faced by a crowd of about 100 and for 90 minutes, was the target for nail bombs, pistol and rifle shots and automatic fire from less than 60 yards. Throughout the engagement, Bennett kept cool and, on his own initiative, tried to set up a position from which to engage the gunmen. On the following day, Private Bennett was in an observation post in the Old Ardoyne. At midnight, he came under fire from four gunmen using a machine gun, two rifles and a pistol. Thirty shots hit his sandbagged post over a 90 minute period and another 30 hit the building nearby. Throughout the engagement, Bennett accurately reported the gunmen positions to his Company headquarters and frequently had to expose himself in order to observe them. Private Bennett's conduct and fearless devotion to duty during both incidents were a tremendous example to his comrades.'

The policy of gazetting awards for Northern Ireland with citations changed with the publication of the first comprehensive list that appeared in the London Gazette on 15 February 1972. Since that date, except for the four awards of the George Cross for gallantry in Northern Ireland, no citations have been published. In the period March 1971-June 1974, a total of only 39 B.E.M's with Gallantry oakleaves were awarded. The award was superceded by the Queen's Gallantry Medal although the B.E.M. for Meritorious Service continued to be awarded (Ref. Above and Beyond, A.M. Palmer, 1993).