Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare ‘North West Frontier 1937’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 W. R. Stuckey, South Wales Borderers

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (3907289 L. Cpl. W. R. Stuckey. 1-S. Wales Bord.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (3907289 Pte. W. R. Stuckey. M.M., S. Wales Bord.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (3907289 W.O. Cl. 2. W. R. Stuckey. S.W.B.) minor official corrections to last, edge bruising and contact marks, very fine and better (7) £2000-2600

Provenance: Buckland Dix and Wood, October 1993.

M.M. London Gazette 28 January 1938:
‘For gallant and distinguished service in action in connection with operations on the North West Frontier of India, 1937’.

The original recommendation states: ‘In the Shaktu valley on the 17th November, 1937, when his platoon was building a camp piquet under heavy fire, this N.C.O. ran into the open and brought a wounded man back under cover. He repeatedly exposed himself to encourage his men in their work. His courage and complete disregard for enemy fire set a fine example.’

Walter Robert Stuckey was born on 23 January 1908, and attested for the South Wales Borderers at Pontypridd on 10 July 1928. Posted to the 1st Battalion, he served with them overseas in Hong Kong, October-November 1934; and in India, November 1934-November 1939 - during which time he served on the N.W. Frontier and through his bravery earned the Military Medal. During the Second World War he served in the U.K., November 1939-April 1943; West Africa, April 1943-June 1944; India and Burma, June 1944-June 1946. Post-war he served in the Gold Coast, June-July 1946. He was awarded his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in July 1947, and was discharged as a Warrant Officer Class 2 in July 1949.

Note: Six Military Medals were awarded ‘between the wars’ to the 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers.

Sold together with the recipient’s original certificate of service; soldier’s service book; soldier’s release book; Journal of the South Wales Borderers, April 1938 - containing details of the operations on the N.W. Frontier and Stuckey’s M.M. citation; and other copied research.