Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Lance-Corporal J. Davies, Gloucestershire Regiment, late Welsh Guards, seriously wounded in the Glosters’ first action of the Korean War when his carrier was mined at Sibyon-ni, 25 November 1950

Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (2734799 Pte. J. Davies. Glosters.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, nearly extremely fine (2) £600-800

J. Davies attested for the Welsh Guards in 1939, and served with them during the Second World War. Recalled to the Colours in August 1950, he was posted to the Gloucestershire Regiment and served during the Korean War in 8 Platoon, ‘C’ Company.

The Glosters landed at Pusan on 9th November 1950. This was at a time when the North Korean forces had been driven far to the north but the swift advance had by-passed large groups of North Koreans who formed guerrilla bands intent on wreaking havoc along the U.N. supply lines. Many of these groups lived openly in the villages of the north operating mainly at night. One of these groups were known to operate around the Sibyon-ni area. The regiment, having dug itself a firm base in the frozen grounds, were tasked with sending out strong patrols to search out and destroy these groups and to guard the main supply route of the 1st United States Corps. The stream ran down into the village that nestled in a valley bordered on three sides by barren hills. ‘On 25 November 1950, Lieutenant L E Weaver, 8 Platoon, ‘C’ Company took a patrol in carriers along the valley road eastwards towards Tosan and saw a party of North Koreans digging on the road ahead. ‘C’ Company was then ordered to clear the complete locality while sappers were tasked with repairing the cratered road. As the lead platoon pushed forward to the craters with the whole Company accompanied by the sapper detachment closely following, the lead carrier hit a mine and Lieutenant Weaver and three men, including Lance-Corporal J. Davies, were seriously wounded. The remainder of the Platoon immediately occupied the high ground around the mined carrier but no enemy were seen and the advance continued towards the previously dug craters. Here 7 Platoon protected the sappers while they worked and 9 Platoon (2nd Lieutenant Ware) were ordered forward along the open valley towards a dominating hill about a mile ahead. As the leading section started to climb the hill they came under heavy light machine gun and rifle fire from both front and rear. Major Walwyn and his Company HQ alongside 8 Platoon were also fired upon from each side of the road. The enemy, occupying the wooded slopes, were swiftly engaged by the guns of 70 Independent Battery and, aided by the light machine guns of 9 Platoon were swiftly silenced.’ (Patrol report by Major Walwyn refers).

As a result of the accurate shooting by the Royal Artillery and 9 Platoon, thirty of the enemy lay dead in this the first action in the Korean war for the Glosters. Amongst the 7 men wounded was Lance-Corporal J. Davies.