Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare immediate 1948 ‘Malaya operations’ M.M. pair awarded to Corporal E. L. Thorpe, Seaforth Highlanders, for his gallantry during an engagement with terrorists in a swamp near the Muar-yong Peng Road, 17 November 1948. Not only did he dispatch a terrorist in the action he also ‘immediately assisted in the dressing and evacuation of the wounded whilst still in close proximity to the enemy. He personally evacuated the section commander by lying on his back and with the section commander's body resting on him, withdrew through the undergrowth.’

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (14190786 Pte. E. L. Thorpe. Seaforth.) minor official correction to unit; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (14190786 Cpl. E. L. Thorpe. M.M. Seaforth.) mounted as worn, generally very fine or better (2) £2,800-£3,200

Provenance: Glendining’s, September 1988; Dix Noonan Webb, February 2016.

M.M. London Gazette 4 February 1949:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Malaya.’

The original recommendation states:
‘At the 7th mile, Muar-yong Peng Road, ‘D’ Company 1st Seaforths less one platoon, together with supporting troops carried out a raid on a known bandit camp.

Private Thorpe was a Bren gunner of No. 12 Platoon. The Platoon were following up bandits through a swamp. The swamp in question consisted of very thick bracken, and bushes to a height of approx. 8 feet, which in places made it necessary for the troops to proceed on hands and knees.

At approx. 15.45 hours the party rounded a comer in the track and came upon a narrow opening. They were immediately fired upon at a range of approx. 10 yards by a Thompson submachine carbine. The platoon commander and the N.C.O. leading the section were immediately wounded, and the Company Commander, who was with the party at the time, received wounds of which he later died.

Fire continued against the party and Private Thorpe, who was in the rear, immediately moved forward to the scene of the action. When he got his L.M.G. into position in front, unable to see through the lallang [elephant grass] he opened fire in the kneeling position and killed a Chinese firing with the American semi-automatic carbine. The bandit firing the Thompson sub-machine carbine had by this time moved into the undergrowth but continued to fire. Private Thorpe, with no regard to his personal safety continued to spray the area in front of him. A total of three magazines were fired.

Once close contact with the bandits was no longer possible to maintain in the swamp, Private Thorpe immediately assisted in the dressing and evacuation of the wounded whilst still in close proximity to the enemy. He personally evacuated the section commander by lying on his back and with the section commander's body resting on him, withdrew through the undergrowth.’

Edmund Leonard Thorpe was born in Chester, in April 1927. He attested for the Black Watch in May 1946, and transferred to the Seaforth Highlanders in January 1948. Thorpe served with the Regiment in Malaya, and was decorated for the above cited deeds on 17 November 1948, his M.M. - one of four won by the Seaforths in Malaya - being among the first to be gazetted for the campaign. He received his award from Major-General D. Dunlop, C.B., C.B.E., G.O.C. Singapore.

Thorpe was discharged 15 May 1958, after 12 years service. He subsequently re-engaged in the Royal Armoured Corps (T.A.) in December 1963, and was discharged in March 1967. Thorpe had married, and moved to Edinburgh, in 1947 and in later life was employed as a caretaker by Edinburgh University. He died at the City Hospital Edinburgh in August 1986.

Sold with extensive copied service papers.