Auction Catalogue

16 July 2020

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 60

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16 July 2020

Hammer Price:
£600

A rare and impressive 1947 ‘Palestine operations’ B.E.M. awarded to Gunner F. D. Keillor, Royal Artillery, for great gallantry in responding to a terrorist attack in Haifa - severely wounded by two ‘through and through’ revolver shots fired at close range, and in great pain, he nonetheless drove his wounded comrades in a jeep to the nearest hospital

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 2nd issue (14148108 Gnr. Frederick D. Keillor, R.A.) minor official correction to surname, nearly extremely fine £800-£1,200

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2009.

B.E.M.
London Gazette 2 July 1948:
‘In recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’

The original recommendation states: ‘On 12 December 1947, at about 1300 hours, Gunner Keillor was driving a jeep along Herzl Street, Haifa, proceeding north in the direction of Acre. An officer, together with two other gunners who were acting as escorts to the party, were also travelling in the vehicle. Opposite the New Cinema, the jeep was stopped in a small traffic jam. At this moment two or three dissidents, believed to be Jews, came out of a side turning and, at point blank range, fired at them with revolvers. All were hit several times and seriously wounded; one of the escort later died after admission to hospital. Gunner Keillor received a through and through gun shot wound of the right upper arm and a through and through gun shot wound of the left shoulder. Despite the severity of his wounds, which had the effect of almost completely paralysing his arms, and of causing him very considerable pain, Gunner Keillor drew his revolver to return the fire but the attackers, in keeping with their character, had disappeared.

One effect of the firing was completely to clear Herzl Street of all traffic, shoppers and pedestrians. No one, therefore, either Jew or Arab, came forward to render assistance to the wounded men though some could be seen peering fearfully at them from doorways and windows. The officer was seriously wounded, having been shot in the stomach, and the two escorts were already unconscious. Gunner Keillor, realising the necessity of reaching medical assistance as soon as possible, managed to start the engine and get the jeep going. By this time his right arm had become completely useless and little strength remained in his left. Nonetheless, however, he drove the jeep to a British Military Hospital, a distance of some two miles, along a route with many turns and steep inclines.

The conduct of this young soldier throughout this incident is deserving of the highest praise. Though severely wounded, he showed that he had in him the best qualities of the British soldier of courage, determination and devotion to duty.’

Frederick Davidson Keillor was born in Angus, Forfar in February 1928, and enlisted in the Royal Artillery in March 1946. He served with the Royal Artillery in Palestine from March 1947 until April 1948. On the day he won his his B.E.M., Haganah terrorists launched a series of attacks against Arab and British targets in Haifa and Ramleh, over 20 people being killed and another 30 wounded - two of the former were British soldiers, and one of them, Gunner G. Taylor 1/R.H.A., a comrade of Keillor, as cited above.

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