Orders, Decorations and Medals

The M.C. pair, awarded posthumously, to 2nd Lieutenant J.A. Law, Royal Ulster Rifles, for gallantry in Palestine

MILITARY CROSS, G.VI.R., officially dated '1938'; GENERAL SERVICE 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (2nd Lieut., R.U.R.) together with case of issue for the M.C. and named card box of issue and forwarding letter for the G.S.M., extremely fine and rare (2)

M.C., London Gazette, 13 September, 1938, 'for gallant and distinguished service in Palestine': 2nd Lieutenant John Anthony Law, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Ulster Rifles (since died of wounds). The following details appeared in the Regimental Journal ‘Quis Separabit’ - ‘2nd/Lieutenant Law, while in command of a platoon of the 2nd Bn. The Royal Ulster Rifles on night of July 1 lth-12th, was returning to camp at Al Malikiya by motor transport, together with a party of Royal Engineers, when he encountered a gang of bandits in ambush along the road covering a party destroying the frontier fence. He collected eight men and attacked the bandits with hand-grenades, driving them away. 'The coolness, courage, and fine example set by this young officer throughout the whole action, which lasted nearly two hours, was beyond praise,' it is added. 'This was by no means the first action in which this young officer had distinguished himself under fire.' On the night of September 6th/7th, 1938, a patrol of 'B' Company, commanded by 2nd Lieut. Law, left Igrir, travelling west towards Al Bassa. At 10.45 pm the second vehicle, an armoured 15-cwt. truck, struck a very large land-mine about half a mile west of 'Bassa 2' police post. Lance-Corporal Andrews, the driver, and Rifleman Coalter were killed instantly, Lance-Corporal Kennedy and 2nd Lieutenant Law fatally injured, and Riflemen McConville and Rogers were seriously injured. Lieutenant Law died of his wounds at Haifa on 9th September, 1938, at the age of 22. In addition to being awarded the posthumous Military Cross, Lieutenant Law was twice mentioned in Army Orders.