Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Eight: Major A. J. D. Pettingell, Royal Tank Regiment, commanding ‘C’ Squadron 7th R.T.R. in Korea 1950-51

India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (Major, R. Tks.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Major, R. Tks.); Korea 1950-53 (Major, R. Tks.); U.N. Korea, lacquered, otherwise good very fine (8) £400-500

Albert Jack Dennis Pettingell was born on 17 March 1913. He was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Tank Corps, 31 August 1933; Lieutenant, Royal Tank Regiment, August 1936 (actg. Captain 3/9/39 to 2/12/39; temp. Captain 3/12/39 to 30/8/41); Captain, August 1941 (actg. Major 10/8/42 to 9/11/42; temp. Major 10/11/42 to 29/12/42); War Subst. Major, December 1942 (actg. Lt.-Col. 30/9/42 to 29/12/42; temp. Lt.-Col. 30/12/42 to 31/8/43); Major, 31 August 1946; retired Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 April 1955.

‘C’ Squadron 7th Royal Tank Regiment, under command of Major Pettingell, arrived in Korea in November 1950. On 3 January 1951, the Squadron was in close action with the enemy in support of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers at the action of Chunghung Dong, about 10 miles north of Seoul during the second retreat after the Chinese joined the fighting. The Squadron was equipped with Churchill Mk. VII ‘Crocodile’ flamethrowing tanks.

29th B. Brigade, of which ‘C’ Squadron 7th R.T.R. were a part, continued southwards for some 60 miles where, on 31st January, ‘C’ Squadron was detached in support of the 25th U.S. Division. For ten days in February the Squadron was engaged in the hill fighting in support of the U.S. 24th Regiment Combat Team, a coloured unit from the 25th U.S. Division. During operation ‘Commando’, 2-10th October 1951, ‘C’ Squadron, now with 28th Brigade 1st Commonwealth Division, found the going very heavy, several tanks being bogged. This operation involved an advance of some 8000 yards to secure a new line and was a complete success. At the conclusion of operation ‘Commando’ the Squadron left Korea, still under the command of Major Pettingell.