Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A post-War B.E.M. group of six awarded to Warrant Officer Class II K. B. Harris, Welsh Guards, later Federation of Malaya Police, who suffered a gun shot wound in Italy during the Second World War, and received a Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct for his gallantry and coolness in successfully co-ordinating the evacuation of an aircraft after it had caught fire shortly before take-off at Stansted Airport, en route to the Canal Zone in 1954

British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (23523111L/W/O. II. Kenneth B. Harris, W.G.) number and rank partially officially corrected; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (1296 P/Lieut. K. B. HarrisF. of M. Pol.) re-engraved naming, mounted court-style; together with two ‘Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct’ emblems, in embossed Royal Mint case of issue, good very fine and a scarce combination to the Welsh Guards (6) £400-500

B.E.M. London Gazette 10 June 1961.
The Recommendation states: ‘Colour Sergeant Harris has been Chief Clerk for two years. Throughout this time he has been quite outstanding in the effort he has put into his work and he has achieved excellent results with a staff which had definite limitations. He was the only British member of the Orderly Room Staff, but by his careful training, supervision, and example he produced an efficient and happy team.
He has been tremendously loyal and conscientious, working extra hours almost every day on his own initiative and without ostentation or complaint. The considerable expansion of this unit put much extra work on all the Headquarters Staff, but on no one more that the Chief Clerk, who contributed notably to its successful accomplishment and often undertook task beyond those normally expected of a Chief Clerk. He has also done much in the new unit’s Sergeants’ Mess to weld it together, and is very popular.’

Q.C.B.C. London Gazette 22 March 1955.
The Recommendation, originally for a B.E.M., states: ‘Sergeant Harris was appointed N.C.O. in charge of flight number SA50 which was due to leave Stansted Airport on 22 September 1954. The aircraft moved off from the emplaning point for take-off at 1020 hours. At 1030 hours it was reported that the aircraft was on fire on the runway. From the Terminal Building it could be seen that No.2 engine was on fire and that the troops were running away from the aircraft to a safe distance. On arrival at the scene of the accident it was found that all passengers and members of the crew had escaped. The troops were paraded at a safe distance from the aircraft, and Sergeant Harris was attending to an injured soldier.
There was no panic, and the highest standard of discipline had been maintained. This was largely due to the example set by Sergeant Harris, and to his action in remaining aboard the aircraft and directing the deplaning, in spite of considerable personal risk.
The time taken for deplaning was less than one and a half minutes, and this would not have been possible if Sergeant Harris had not immediately taken charge and, by his example and personality, dominated the situation.’

Kenneth Bowen Harris was born in Battlefield, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, on 19 June 1925, and attested there for the Welsh Guards as a Boy Soldier on 28 December 1938. He served overseas during the Second World War from 12 August 1943 to 19 August 1945, and was wounded by gun shot to the left arm and leg in Italy on 17 February 1944. Advanced acting Sergeant on 2 June 1946, he was discharged on 18 June 1954, and served with the Federation of Malaya Police, before re-enlisting in the Welsh Guards on 16 October 1958. He served with FARELF from 1958-62 and again from 1965-66, being advanced Warrant Officer Class II on 1 November 1962. He was discharged a second time on 15 October 1967.

Sold with the recipient’s riband bar and a Federation of Malaya Police cloth badge; and copied service records and other research.

Note: Not being associated with any campaign medal, the recipient’s Q.C.B.C. emblem would have been worn on his tunic after and unattached to his medal group. Given he was en route to the Canal Zone in Egypt in 1954, it is most likely that he is also entitled to the clasp Canal Zone to the General Service Medal.