A Collection of Medals to The South Wales Borderers

A rare ‘North West Frontier 1937’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 W. R. Stuckey, South Wales Borderers

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (3907289 L. Cpl., 1-S. Wales Bord.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (3907289 Pte., M.M., S. Wales Bord.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, unnamed; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army 3907289 W.O. Cl. 2, S.W.B.) minor marks, very fine and better (7) £2000-2600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to The South Wales Borderers.

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M.M. London Gazette 28 January 1938. ‘No. 3907289 Lance-Corporal Walter Robert Stuckey, 1st Battalion, The South Wales Borderers.’ ‘... for gallant and distinguished service in action in connection with operations on the North West Frontier of India, 1937’.

Citation: ‘In the Shaktu valley on the 17th November, 1937, when his platoon was building a camp piquet under heavy fire, this N.C.O. ran into the open and brought a wounded man back under cover. He repeatedly exposed himself to encourage his men in their work. His courage and complete disregard for enemy fire set a fine example.’

Walter Robert Stuckey was born on 23 January 1908. A Coal Miner by occupation, he enlisted at Pontypridd on 10 July 1928. Serving in the 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers, he served in Hong Kong, October-November 1934; and India, November 1934-November 1939 - during which time he served on the N.W. Frontier and through his bravery earned the Military Medal. During the Second World War he served in the U.K., November 1939-April 1943; West Africa, April 1943-June 1944; India and Burma, June 1944-June 1946. Post-war he served in the Gold Coast, June-July 1946. Awarded the Army L.S. & G.C. in July 1947. Discharged as a Warrant Officer Class 2 in July 1949.

With original certificate of service; soldier’s service book; soldier’s release book; Journal of the South Wales Borderers, April 1938 - containing details of the operations on the N.W. Frontier and Stuckey’s M.M. citation; with copied gazette extract.

Six Military Medals were awarded ‘between the wars’ to the 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers.