Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Northern Ireland Q.G.M. group of three awarded to Lance-Corporal Charles E. Tait, 1st Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, awarded for gallantry in October 1979 when his vehicle was ambushed by the notorious ‘Ballymurphy Gun Team’ just outside the Springfield Road R.U.C. Station in Belfast - Despite being wounded himself he immediately went to the assistance of the driver who was very badly wounded, dragging him out of the line of fire and administering vital first aid which was said to have ‘undoubtedly saved his life’

Queen’s Gallantry Medal, E.II.R. (24211937 L/Cpl. Charles E. Tait, DWR); U.N. Cyprus; General Service 1962, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24211937 Pte., DWR.) the last with minor correction to unit, otherwise good very fine (3) £6000-8000

Q.G.M. London Gazette 21 October 1980.

Sold with an original letter of congratulations from Lieutenant General Sir Richard Lawson, KCB, DSO, OBE, which states:

‘I am delighted that you have been awarded the QGM for your service in Northern Ireland. I know that, in October 1979 you, as the Regimental Medical Assistant with the 1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, were a member of a patrol that came under fire from terrorists. Despite being wounded yourself you immediately went to the assistance of the driver, who was very badly wounded. Dragging him out of the line of fire, you rendered prompt and effective first aid which undoubtedly saved his life. Your courage and calmness in this situation are worthy of high praise, and I am very pleased that your fine act has secured official recognition.’

A later typed report of the action for which Tait was awarded the Q.G.M. by one of his colleagues also accompanies the lot, which states:

‘I was on duty in an office on the 1st Floor of Springfield Road RUC Station, having arrived a few days previously as part of the advance party, when my friend Corporal Charles Tait arrived for duty with my section. I saw him briefly in the corridor outside the office and advised him to get changed into indoor clothing from the travelling uniform he was wearing and then report to the office. Unknown to me he was then asked to do an escort duty for a truck leaving Springfield Road Police Station headed for Flax Street Mill, another military base.

His job was to sit in the rear of the truck as an armed rear gunner. As the truck left the protective metal gates a group of terrorists, known as the Ballymurphy Gun Team opened fire with a US manufactured machine gun at fairly close range from a house backing on to the police station. The cab was hit by a number of bullets, severely wounding the driver. A ricochet also hit Corporal Tait in the arm at this time.

Unaware that he was himself wounded, Corporal Tait immediately left the rear of the truck and ran around to the driver’s door. He lifted the driver out of the cab and administered first aid for a face wound that had damaged the driver’s jaw, causing breathing difficulties. By this time the gunmen had made their escape, pursued but not caught, by the Quick Reaction Section, and other personnel had come to the aid of the two injured soldiers. I saw Corporal Tait led away from the scene holding his arm. He was given first aid and then taken to hospital. He made a full recovery and returned to duty later. He left the army in 1985 from Gibraltar.’