Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Eight: Lieutenant-Colonel M. C. Speer, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, who after serving with the Royal West African Frontier force at liberation of Addis Ababa, 1941, and Commanding the Fusiliers in Italy, 1945, Commanded the 1st Battalion in Korea after the death of Colonel Foster at the Battle of Imjin River and was Mentioned in Despatches

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, all privately named ‘Lt. Col. M. C. Speer R.N.F.’; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt-Col. M. C. Speer. R.N.F.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, privately named ‘Lt. Col. M. C. Speer. R.N.F.’; Coronation 1953, privately named ‘Lt. Col. M. C. Speer. R.N.F.’, good very fine (8) £600-£800

M.I.D. London Gazette 7 September 1951:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Korea during the period 1st January to 30th June 1951.’

Miles C. Speer was educated at Eton and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1927. Serving as Adjutant on the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers Depot, 1934-35, he then served with the Royal West African Frontier Force, taking part in the liberation of Addis Ababa in 1941. Returning to the Fusiliers in 1943, he commanded the 1st Battalion in Italy in 1945. After a period at Staff College, he left for Korea as second in command of his battalion in 1950. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 25 April 1951, he took command of the battalion in the field, after Colonel Foster was killed at the Battle of Imjin. Commanding the Battalion until 1953, he was subsequently posted as Deputy Commander, Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre. He retired from the Army in 1957, and died on 22 November 1974.

As part of the 29th British Independent Infantry Brigade, the 1st Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, fought alongside the Ulster’s and the 1st Gloucester’s at the battle of Imjin River, 22-25 April 1951. The Fusiliers suffered heavy casualties during their gallant stand against overwhelming numbers Chinese forces. Included in their number was Colonel Foster. Speer’s promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel dates to the last day of the battle of Imjin.