The Upfill-Brown Collection

The very rare Rhodesian Police Cross for Conspicuous Gallantry awarded to Lance Section Officer Lindsay Robert O'Brien, British South Africa Police

POLICE CROSS FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY, silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially impressed (1 PCG L/S/O L. R. O'Brien), good very fine and extremely rare

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The AA Upfill-Brown Collection.

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Lindsay Robert O'Brien was awarded the P.C.G. on 8 September, 1978. His citation said that as a Lance Section Officer with India Troop, he was responsible for numerous successful contacts with terrorists which were brought about as a direct result of his professional ability, aggression, example and devotion to duty. In October 1976 Mr. O'Brien and his section walked 17km in three hours to go to the assistance of another Support Unit section which had been ambushed and suffered casualties. He immediately mounted follow-up operations which lasted for 10 days and resulted in a successful contact. Mr. O'Brien was seriously wounded in the shoulder in this contact but pressed home the attack. Only after he had become weak through loss of blood and the spoor had been lost did he allow himself to be casavaced. During further tours of duty in the operational area Mr. O'Brien and his section had several successful contacts resulting in a number of terrorists being killed or wounded. Early in 1978 he discovered that terrorists were in a kraal and he set up an ambush in an area devoid of cover. During the contact he was again badly wounded. Only five of these awards were ever made, this being the very last.