Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Rhodesia, General Service Medal (R44514 Pte. Tapson) one or two minor edge bruises, good very fine £40-60

Dube Tapson, a member of the Ndebele tribe, was killed in action on 26 November 1976, while serving in ‘A’ Company of the 1st Rhodesian African Rifles.

As a result of terrorists ambushing civilian buses in country areas and stealing money and food from the passengers, the Rhodesian military started to man a number of buses - designated “Q” buses - to counter such activities. Tapson, who was selected for these operations, was a member of a 10-strong team under Sergeant Goora, M.F.C., and was killed in a firefight in the “Operation Repulse” area of south-east Rhodesia when his bus, in which he was concealed with fellow team members, was engaged by terrorists - Sergeant Goora was also killed in the same incident and five askari were wounded; sold with an old statement of services and accompanying note detailing the above award’s provenance.