Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, South Arabia, Northern Ireland, unofficial rivets between clasps (24000515 L/Cpl. A. M. Hamilton. 2 SG.) minor edge bruising, good very fine, first clasp scarce to unit £240-280

Alexander McKay Hamilton attested for the Scots Guards on 22 January 1965 and served with No. 11 (Aden) Platoon, attached to the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, in South Arabia from October 1966 to April 1967, one of only 36 men of the Scots Guards entitled to the South Arabia Clasp.

Hamilton subsequently served with the Scots Guards in Northern Ireland from August 1971, where he commanded a Special Reconnaissance Patrol, and received a General Officer Commanding-in-Chief’s Commendation on 7 May 1972:
‘Lance Corporal Hamilton arrived in Ulster with his Battalion on 25 August 1971, as a Guardsman. He quickly proved himself ideally suited to the stresses of patrolling in Belfast. He has displayed tremendous toughness and determination and this led to his promotion to Local Lance Corporal on 1 November 1971.
He was appointed to command a four-man permanent reconnaissance patrol operating in one of the worst areas and was entirely responsible for the operation of his patrol which he has led with extraordinary enthusiasm and tenacity. His performance has been outstanding.
The General Officer Commanding commends Lance Corporal Hamilton for his devotion to duty and directs that an entry be made in the relevant documents in accordance with Queen’s Regulations for the Army paragraph 1633 (p).’ (Special Routine Order refers).

Hamilton was discharged on 24 May 1978.

Sold with a group photographic image of No. 11 Platoon in Aden, featuring the recipient.