Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Korea M.C. group of four awarded to Captain R. T. D. Sullivan, Royal Engineers, who was decorated for his gallantry under fire on the Hook feature in November 1952

Military Cross, E.II.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1953’; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Lt. R. T. D. Sullivan, R.E.); Korea 1950-53 (Capt. R. T. D. Sullivan, M.C., R.E.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, mounted court-style as worn, rank officially corrected on the third, generally extremely fine (4) £7000-9000

M.C. London Gazette 30 January 1953. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘Captain Sullivan’s troop, with a large detachment of K.S.C. Labour, were employed throughout November on continuous day and night shifts making and reconstructing field defences on the Hook feature.

On the night that work started, the position was heavily shelled and then raided by a small force of Chinese. There were several casualties and the unarmed K.S.C. were thrown into confusion by the unaccustomed shelling and close proximity of the enemy. Captain Sullivan, by outstanding leadership and coolness and complete disregard of danger, personally prevented panic amongst them. By his determination he even kept them at work on the communication trenches whilst under direct enemy small arms fire.

On the night of 13 November 1952, Captain Sullivan took a demolition party out with an infantry patrol to destroy bunkers which the Chinese were thought to be using for sheltering raiding parties whilst forming up for an attack. Captain Sullivan’s party was discovered by an enemy patrol whilst they were placing their demolition charges. Although he realised that they were in imminent danger of an attack or shelling, Captain Sullivan refused to leave the area before his mission was accomplished. He coolly organised the completion of the work and personally ensured that the charges were all fired according to plan. He then carried through an orderly withdrawal to the patrol base bringing away all his equipment with him. His cool bearing, indifference to possible enemy action, and his determination were an inspiration to the whole party and turned into success a venture which at one time seemed likely to fail.

Throughout the period that his troop was working on the Hook there was considerable intermittent shelling and other forms of enemy interference. Captain Sullivan rarely left the position except when ordered to do so in order to snatch some sleep, and his continued presence on the job, day and night, continually exposed to shell and mortar fire, not only showed a complete disregard for his own personal safety, but also a determination and devotion to duty which far exceeded what might normally have been expected in the circumstances.

His example, his coolness and cheerfulness under such trying conditions were a source of the greatest inspiration and encouragement to the Sappers, Infantry and K.S.C. employed on the Hook, and were reflected in their continued high output of work on the defences which shortly afterwards contributed so materially to the successful outcome of the battle there.’

Richard Terence Derek Sullivan, who was from West Hartlepool, Co. Durham, was serving as a Troop Leader in 55 Field Squadron, 28 Field Engineer Regiment, R.E., at the time of the above cited deeds; sold with a related newspaper cutting.