Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

‘Thwarted - the enemy changes his tactics. Attacks continue all round; but now great numbers concentrate on one small segment of the circle. The fire directed onto this platoon is intensified. Sergeant Robinson, who has controlled the fire of a light machine-gun group throughout the night from an exposed position, falls. His arm and shoulder shattered by a burst of fire, he nonetheless remains at duty, giving the crew their orders in this new engagement until he loses consciousness.’ (Extract from, The Edge of The Sword, by Captain Anthony Farrar-Hockley, DSO, MC (later General, GBE, KCB, DSO & Bar, MC))

The superb ‘Battle of Imjin River’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant Stanley Robinson, 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, who was originally recommended for a D.C.M., when as a Rifle Platoon Sergeant he kept a light machine-gun, which was in an exposed forward position, in action for over three hours although seriously wounded, until he finally collapsed over his weapon through loss of blood - subsequently taken prisoner of war by the Chinese and held in captivity for two years until his eventual release in a ‘sick and wounded’ prisoner exchange, Robinson was medically discharged a few months later, his war pension certificate noting: ‘gunshot wound left arm and hand - gunshot wound right hand - gunshot wound legs and thighs - malnutrition, privation and dysentry.’

Military Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (1444977 A/Sjt., Glosters); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; Korea 1950-53 (1444977 Cpl., Glosters); U.N. Korea; together with U.S.A. Presidential Citation emblem; Royal Mint case of issue for M.M.; named card box of issue for U.N. medal, nearly extremely fine (7) £30000-40000

M.M. London Gazette 8 December 1953. The original recommendation, which was for the award of a Distinguished Conduct Medal was written by his C.O. Lieutenant Colonel J. P. Carne, V.C., D.S.O. and states:

‘(Choksong, River Imjin, South Korea 22-25 April 1951 - Rifle Platoon Sergeant). During the night of 23/24 April, particularly during the early morning of the 24th April, repeated attacks were made by heavy Chinese forces against Sergeant Robinson’s platoon position. At first light, he was manning a light machine-gun in an exposed forward position. Despite heavy mortar and machine-gun fire, he maintained this gun in action personally for over three hours though wounded seriously in the arm and later, the leg. At the end of this time, through loss of blood, he collapsed over the weapon and only then was drawn to the rear.

Due to his courage and selfless devotion to duty, this important post withstood the repeated assaults of the enemy until the order was given to withdraw to a new position. Sergeant Robinson’s conduct was indeed an inspiration to all those about him.’

Sold with the following documentation and photographs:

i) Four original photographs, each captioned and signed by the recipient as follows:

a. ‘British General Hospital in Kori, Japan. Awaiting flight home, April 53. Also pictured, Private Mercer who lost an eye and leg.’

b. ‘My release with the sick and wounded exchange at Panmunjon, April 23rd 1953. Pictured, Brig. Kendrew, American Escort and myself.’

c. ‘Home again, my daughter was born whilst I was on the Han River, December 1950.’

d. ‘Buckingham Palace, late 53.’

ii) Copy of Certificate of Service, which states: ‘As a reservist he was recalled to the Colours for service in Korea and took part in the heroic stand of the 1st Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment in the action on the Imjin River in April 1951. A capable and efficient N.C.O. who was promoted to Acting Sergeant in the field and has rendered valuable service to his regiment.’

iii) Original war pensions letter which states that his degree of disablement is assessed at seventy percent arising from ‘gunshot wound left arm and hand with median nerve palsy, gunshot wound right hand and contracture 4th and 5th fingers, gunshot wound legs and thighs, malnutrition and privation and dysentery.’

iv) Four sides of letters written by recipient concerning the sale of his medals and giving some further detail, from which the following is extracted:

‘... Major General Farrar-Hockley’s book, The Edge of The Sword. I met him last at Buckingham Palace when he told me that I occupied a paragraph. It is correct to a point, unfortunately two of my Bren gunners were killed early on and so I had one of my very own!

The Chinese People’s Army used Russian methods. Directed by tracer fire and bugles the first wave had the weapons, while the second picked up what they could from the dead. It did make life easier, but there were far too many of them. Anyway this is history, the Regiment was happy to have another Battle Honour, The American Presidential Citation and to be known as ‘The Glorious Glosters.’ We weren’t so pleased to do two years in a P.O.W. Camp!’

Stanley Robinson was born in 1920 and saw service in North West Europe during the Second World War. He was re-mobilized in August 1950 and served with the Gloucestershire Regiment in Korea, where he was seriously wounded and taken prisoner of war. Repatriated in April 1953 he was medically discharged as a result of wounds the following September.

Note: The M.M. group awarded to Private J.A.W. Robson, Gloucestershire Regiment, awarded for the same action was sold at D.N.W., 7 July 2010, lot 888 for a hammer price of £55,000.