Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Korean War ‘Operation Commando’ M.M. group of four awarded to Lance Corporal John Norton, 1st Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, a 19 year-old National Service soldier who was decorated for his exceptional gallantry on 4 October 1951, when although wounded, he pressed on and silenced an enemy machine-gun post with his Bren gun – His citation stating that during the subsequent bunker clearing operations ‘Norton was always to the fore, charging down the trenches engaging the fleeing enemy and cheering on his men’

Military Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (22401907 L/Cpl. J. Norton. K.S.L.I.); Korea 1950-53 (22401907 Cpl. J. Norton. K.S.L.I.); U.N. Korea; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (22401907 Sgt. J. Norton. M.M., K.S.L.I.) mounted loose style as worn, some contact wear, edge bruising and a little polished, otherwise generally nearly very fine (4) £6000-8000

M.M. London Gazette 11 December 1951.

The following is extracted from the original recommendation:

‘On 4 October 1951 at Kowang San, Lance Corporal Norton was in command of a Light Machine-gun Group of a Rifle Section of 10 Platoon, ‘D’ Company, 1st K.S.L.I., which company was attacking Point 210. The entire platoon was engaged by enemy automatic fire and were ordered to cover. Lance Corporal Norton was then ordered forward to a suitable feature from which he could engage the enemy position. This he did and although wounded whilst going forward pressed on with great resolution and knocked out the occupants of the enemy machine-gun post and silenced the weapon.

The platoon then assaulted the objective and Lance Corporal Norton again displayed great coolness and leadership and complete disregard for his personal safety. During the bunker clearing and consolidation period Lance Corporal Norton was always to the fore, charging down the trenches engaging the fleeing enemy and cheering on his men.

This young National Service N.C.O’s. resolution, skill and bearing inspired not only his section but his whole platoon and was in no small part responsible for the successful first assault.’

John Norton was born in Hereford on 5 May, 1932. He was called up for National Service on 24 August, 1950, and completed his basic training at Bordon Camp. He was then sent out to Hong Kong where his Battalion. 1 KSLI, were serving. He served with the Battalion in Hong Kong from February until May, 1951. The Battalion was then sent to Korea on 13 May to take over from the Middlesex Regiment. Throughout his time with 1 KSLI in Korea, Norton was with 10 Platoon of D Company.

Operation Commando

The object was for the KOSB to capture Point 355, with the KSLI supporting the left flank, with Centurion tanks from A Squadron, 8 Hussars being available, as and when required. Early on 3 October D Company, with Norton -who was in charge of the Bren Gun, attacked and occupied Point 208. B Company then passed through to occupy the next hill, incurring six wounded. C Company pushed through and attacked a spur; supported by fire from B Company they captured the position with two killed and seven more wounded.

These positions were consolidated and held over night. As dawn broke on 4 October D Company went forward with tanks following on behind. The Company was to attack Point 210. As they moved forward they came under sustained fire from a heavy Chinese Machine Gun (MG). Norton was then ordered by the OC to take his Bren to a suitable feature and engage the MG, with the words "go and find it and get rid of it." With four magazines in his pouches he set off on the right flank looking for the enemy position. As he was getting into cover he was wounded by a ricochet in his left thigh. Ignoring his wound he engaged the MG and successfully knocked it out: it was later found to have been manned by three Chinese. This gun is now on display at the KSLI Museum.

Norton then rejoined the Platoon and advanced up the hill with them until all the enemy trenches and bunkers were cleared. Norton, in his citation, was praised for displaying great coolness and leadership and a complete disregard for his own personal safety during the attack. At the same time tanks from the 8 Hussars were employed in clearing several bunkers. At the top of the hill the KSLI paused as more Chinese troops were seen to be dug in on the reverse slope. Norton, with a Pte Smith and other soldier, jumped into a slit-trench for cover. Smith then attempted to throw a 36 Mills Grenade at the enemy. As he threw the grenade he dived for cover, but was unaware that it had hit a tree and bounced straight back into the trench. Calmly, Norton picked up the grenade and threw it out where it immediately exploded.

With a cost of one killed and seven wounded - including Norton, Point 210 was taken by D Company. The OC, Major Cottle, received the DSO, Lt Barwick an MC and Norton the MM. The enemy had 41 killed with a further 11 captured.

Other notable incidents during Norton's time in Korea include a near-death incident, when advancing through open ground in mid-September, his unit came under a heavy mortar bombardment. The man next to him, Pte Les Brickwood, was severely wounded by mortar shrapnel and screaming in great pain. Norton organised a stretcher and some men to help him carry the soldier to safety. However, the attack got worse and the stretcher party had to drop the stretcher. Norton placed his body over Brickwood for the duration of the attack to prevent him sustaining further injury. Unfortunately his wound was so severe that he died three days later, on 15 September.

On another occasion Norton was leading a night-time patrol of six men to ascertain enemy strength and positions. He was ordered that on no account were they to engage in a fight. On the way out the patrol heard voices and took cover.  A Chinese patrol passed by them without noticing. Later that night, closer to enemy gun positions, Norton heard what he suspected were Russian soldiers. On his return he reported this information to his superiors who dismissed it as being impossible. It was only after the war that the Russian involvement in Korea was confirmed - they had sent advisors to supervise the large artillery pieces.

Sold with a copy of the original recommendation and three copied photographs.