Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A notable modern campaign service group of four awarded to Major P. B. de T. Rooke, 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, later Trucial Oman Scouts, who was mentioned in despatches for gallantry in the ‘Gunpowder Plot’ battle in Korea on 4 November 1951, in which he commanded the Mortar Platoon, discharging 5,000 rounds in just four hours - a rate of fire assisted by the use of water rations and 48 precious bottles of beer to keep the barrels cooled: his fellow Borderer Private Bill Speakman was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry this day, when, although wounded, he led 15 grenade charges against the enemy

Korea 1950-53, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. P. B. De T. Rooke. K.O.S.B.); U.N. Korea; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (Lt. P. B. De T. Rooke, K.O.S.B.); General Service 1962 -2007, 1 clasp, Borneo (Capt. P. B. De T. Rooke, KOSB.), the first with single edge bruise, otherwise generally good very fine or better (4) £2000-2600

M.I.D. London Gazette 29 April 1952:

“For gallant and distinguished services in Korea .’

Peter Bruce de Trafford Rooke was born in Tilford, Surrey in January 1930 and was educated at St. Bede’s School, Eastbourne and at Wellington College. Enlisting in the Scots Guards in March 1948, he was subsequently appointed a cadet at the R.M.A. Sandhurst from whence he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

By the time of his deployment to Korea, he was serving as C.O. of the 1st Battalion’s Mortar Platoon, and it was in that capacity that he fought in the ‘Gunpowder Plot’ battle in Korea on 4 November 1951, when, as cited, he and and his men fired some 4,000 rounds in just four hours. Mentioned in despatches and advanced to Lieutenant in December of the same year, he was subsequently wounded in operations on 22 March 1952.

Next actively employed in Malaya 1955-59, onetime as A.D.C. to the G.O.C.-in-C. and Director of Emergency Operations, he was advanced to Captain and was attached to the Sultan of Oman’s Forces in the mid-1960s; so, too, present in the Borneo operations of 1965 on rejoining the 1st Battalion, K.O.S.B.

Having then been attached to the Trucial Oman Scouts, Rooke served in the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders up until being placed on the Retired List as a Major in August 1971. He died in February 1991.

Sold with a quantity of original photographs and documentation, including scenes from Korea and War Office letter of notification in respect of the recipient’s M.I.D.