Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Rhodesian ‘Bush War’ Police Decoration for Gallantry awarded to Field Reservist M. C. A. de Robillard, who, on his first call-up, single-handedly took on five armed terrorists in an attack on a Bikita homestead; wounded, he successfully drove off the terrorists, wounding one in the shoulder.

Rhodesia, Police Decoration for Gallantry (24465 F/R M. C. A. de Robillard) extremely fine, scarce £600-800

P.D.G. awarded 25 March 1977:
‘Field Reservist Marc Cyril Anthony de Robillard was on duty at a ranch in the operational area on 30 October 1976 when three terrorists armed with rifles and fixed bayonets entered the homestead. He was unarmed but immediately engaged the nearest terrorist. With his left hand he grabbed the terrorist’s rifle by the bayonet and with his right hand he grabbed the butt and attempted to get possession. The terrorist fired the rifle shooting off the four fingers of the Field Reservist’s left hand. But by retaining his grip with the right hand, Field Reservist de Robillard disarmed the terrorist. By using the terrorist weapon he engaged the other two terrorists who were firing inside the house, forcing all three to flee.
Undeterred by his injury, de Robillard then armed himself with his own rifle, cocked it with his foot, and again re-engaged the terrorists who were still firing. He wounded one, causing him to abandon his weapon. On checking outside the house, a fourth terrorist was seen outside the dining-room. Shots were exchanged before he fled. A fifth terrorist, located crouching on the verandah, was also driven off, firing as he ran. Field Reservist de Robillard, having successfully thwarted the terrorist attack, checked for the occupant of the house and found him safe, having taken refuge in one of the rooms.
The brave and gallant conduct of Field Reservist de Robillard, who was initially unarmed, in counter-attacking armed terrorists and successfully driving them off while wounded and unaided, displayed courage beyond the normal call of duty and undoubtedly prevented loss of life to the homestead occupants and destruction of ranch property.’

Marc Cyril Anthony de Robillard attested for the Police Reserve in August 1976, ‘and was undergoing his first stint of “Bright Lights” duty at a farm in Bikita when the terrorists struck on 30 October 1976. The 47-year-old Fort Victoria garage owner, born and raised in Mauritius, lost four fingers of his left hand after seizing the barrel of a terrorist’s rifle and disarming him. It was his first call up.’ (Salisbury Herald refers).

Only 24 Police Decorations for Gallantry were awarded for the whole of the Bush War. This is de Robillard’s only medal; he did not apply for his Rhodesian General Service Medal.

Sold together with two photographic images of the recipient.