An outstanding Malaya Emergency D.C.M. pair awarded to Acting Corporal William Price, Suffolk Regiment, a 19-year-old National Serviceman who took over command of his platoon during a jungle ambush and succeeded in defeating the enemy despite being outnumbered by at least three to one

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd type (22187869 A./Cpl., Suffolk); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (22187869 Pte., D.C.M., Suffolk) good very fine or better (2) £12000-15000

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 July 1951 (Malaya). The recommendation states:

‘In the Bukit Tekala area north east of Kajang, on the morning of 11 May 1951, H.Q. No. 8 Platoon consisting of the Platoon Sergeant in command, a wireless operator and two Iban trackers, and one section commanded by Lance-Corporal Price consisting of eight men, were patrolling out from a jungle base after a three day operation. At 10:15 hrs. the patrol was moving in single file along the side of a hill through old, lightly overgrown rubber. Lance Corporal Price was second in the formation and the Commander fifth.

Bandits were suddenly sighted moving on to the top of the hill by the rear man of the patrol, and as the patrol Commander was warned he signalled for packs to be dropped preparatory to attacking. At this moment the patrol came under accurate and sustained rifle and automatic fire from the hill top at a range of about sixty yards. The Sergeant commanding was wounded immediately, and within a few seconds the leading Scout, the Bren gunner who was third and his No. 2, fourth, were all wounded. The Sergeant shouted to Lance Corporal Price to take command.

This very young National Service N.C.O. was now faced with an enemy, in a dominating position, and estimated to be at least three to one in numbers. Four men were seriously wounded and any movement could be seen from the enemy position; he was also isolated by twenty yards from the nearest unwounded man of the Section.

During the next hour and a half, Lance Corporal Price acquitted himself in an outstanding manner, and by his example and coolness under fire set the highest standard for his men to follow. He called down the line for the Section to hold in their fire positions and fight back at the bandits.

The enemy attempted during the subsequent battle to approach the patrol at the point where the wounded lay and were repulsed in several attempts largely by the action of Lance Corporal Price, who killed two and wounded two of the enemy at close range himself.

He then ordered the Signaller to open his set, but as no contact could be made he sent one man to make his way to the road to report the situation. He then got the E.Y. Rifle into action and by it’s use, and the accurate fire which stopped any further attempts to close, he forced the enemy to break off the action, leaving three dead on the hill and carrying off three wounded. Lance Corporal Price then secured the hill-top, established communication by wireless and saw the wounded attended.

Throughout the action he behaved in a completely cool and fearless manner. He caused the main casualties to the enemy by his own fire, and displayed the highest qualities of determination to fight at all costs and inflict casualties under adverse conditions. There is no doubt that the actions of Lance Corporal Price were responsible for turning what might have been a serious disaster into a considerable success.’

William John Price was a national serviceman, just nineteen years old when he gained the award of the D.C.M., and one of only four national servicemen to win this coveted award for service in Malaya between 1948 and 1958. His award is unique to the Suffolk Regiment and one of only 15 awards won by British regiments, including Royal Marines, during the Malaya emergency.

Sold with two original newspaper cuttings regarding the award of the D.C.M. to Lance Corporal Price and other research.