Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Rhodesian Military Division Order of the Legion of Merit group of four awarded to Brigadier J. C. P. McVey, Commander Special Forces Brigade, late Commanding Officer of 1 Rhodesian Light Infantry and 2 Rhodesian African Rifles, who gave the order for Operation Quartz - the planned strike against the military wing of ZANU-PF, and the assassination of several individuals, including Robert Mugabe.

Zimbabwe Independence Medal 1980 (02300), number double-struck in places; Rhodesia, Order of the Legion of Merit, Military Division (MLM), Member’s breast badge, gilt and enamel; Rhodesia, General Service Medal (Capt. J. C. P. Mcvey); Rhodesia, Exemplary Service Medal (A/Lt Col J. C. P. Mcvey), mounted as worn, generally very fine (4) £600-800

The Order of the Legion of Merit was the Unilaterally Declared Republic of Rhodesia´s highest Order and was instituted in 1970. It came in five classes, with both a Military and Civil Division, and was awarded for outstanding service to Rhodesia. McVey was gazetted as a Member of the Legion of Merit, 11 November 1975, and his was 1 of 66 MLM (Military Division) awarded. His Exemplary Service Medal was gazetted 21 November 1975.

John McVey was ‘born and educated in Rhodesia. As a civilian conscript he did his national service at Llewellin Barracks, outside Bulawayo, in 1957 as a private. He joined the Federal Army in 1960 as an officer cadet and was commissioned in 1960. His first posting, as a second-lieutenant, was to the First Battalion, the Northern Rhodesia Regiment. When the Federation broke up in 1963, he was posted to Army Headquarters and then to the School of Infantry at Gwelo. In 1970, by then a Major, he commanded One Battalion, 1 Rhodesian Light Infantry. In 1971 he attended Staff College and then became Brigade Major at JOC Hurricane among other appointments. He was made the Commanding Officer of 2RAR in succession to Lieutenant-Colonel P.J.Hosking. As a Colonel in May 1978 John McVey was appointed Commander of the newly-formed Special Forces Brigade and in 1979 was promoted to Brigadier and commanded 2 Brigade at JOC Hurricane.’ (The War Diaries of André Dennison, by J. R. T. Wood refers)

The Saints, The Rhodesian Light Infantry adds the following footnote to McVey’s career, ‘After the ceasefire was agreed on 21 December a final Secret Orders Group was called at the RLI Brigade Headquarters (2 Brigade). Brigadier John McVey issued the verbal orders for the famous Operation Quartz, the secret offensive to destroy elements of ZIPRA and ZANLA in their various assembly points. In the end H-hour came with troops in position but the operation was cancelled due to the Monitoring Force becoming aware of the plan.’

McVey, having advanced to Brigadier, resigned his commission and the command of 2 Brigade in 1981.

Sold with copied research and several photographic images of recipient.