Auction Catalogue
Create new listA fine Malaya operations M.M. group of three awarded to Private J. W. Appleby, The Green Howards, afterwards Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
Military Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (22540708 Pte. J. W. Appleby, Green Howards); General Service 1918-62, E.II.R., 1 clasp, Malaya (22540706 Pte., M.M., Green Howards); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (22540708 Fus., R.N.F.) each award officially stamped ‘R.’ on rim for Replacement, generally extremely fine (3) £1200-1500
M.M. London Gazette 4 April 1952. The recommendation states:
‘Over the past six months, and mainly in the Negri Sembilan-Malacca boundary area, Private Appleby has consistently shown a very high degree of courage and determination on continuous jungle operations, having been on no less than four occasions under fire. Once when the leading scout was fired at from an ambush, and took cover, Private Appleby charged up the track at the bandits. Subsequent investigation revealed that one bandit had been hit. On another occasion when bandits had been contacted in rubber, and an assault party went in, Private Appleby was at the head of the charge and accounted personally for one of the two bandits killed.
His most conspicuous act of gallantry was when a surrendered bandit had led his Platoon into a camp in the Asahan area of Negri Sembilan and the leading section was fired on from the left flank by six bandits, one of whom was armed with a T.S.M.G. Leaving the Bren Group to guard the right, the Platoon Commander attacked these bandits with the leading section of the Platoon. The remainder of the Platoon was on the far side of a flooded river and could do nothing to assist. Almost immediately heavy close range small arms fire, including one Bren, was opened upon the attacking section and the Bren Group from the top of a hill on the right flank. Private Appleby returned the fire at once, but, quickly realising the dangerous situation in which his Platoon Commander and the leading sections were, he charged up the hill at the enemy firing his Bren Gun as he went in, and routed them. Subsequently it was ascertained that the leading section had been ambushed by about fifteen bandits and there were no less than six firing positions on the hill on the right. One bandit was hit by Private Appleby and was seen to fall. In all three bandits were wounded in this engagement. By this action, in which he displayed complete disregard for his personal safety, considerable initiative and a very high degree of determination and courage, he undoubtedly saved the lives of his Platoon Commander and of the leading section.
His courageous conduct in this perilous situation, and his tremendous aggressive spirit upon other occasions have been a source of inspiration to his Platoon and is a splendid example to his comrades in the Company.’
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