Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An early ‘Northern Ireland’ Q.G.M. group of four awarded to Lance Corporal P. B. J. Broome, 3rd Battalion, The Light Infantry, for his gallantry during an ambush on his patrol in the Lower Falls area of Belfast, 21 May 1974. Broome rescued his wounded patrol commander whilst under fire, and forced the ambush to break up as a result of his accurate return fire - the latter wounding the IRA gunman, and forcing him to retreat within the gathering large civilian crowd

Queen’s Gallantry Medal (24246502 Pte. Paul B. J. Broome, L.I.); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24246502 Pte. P. B. J. Broome LI.); Jubilee 2002, unnamed as issued; Police L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (Const Paul B Broome) mounted as originally worn, and housed in custom made wooden case, with regimental emblem and recipient’s details embossed on lid, cleaned, very fine or better (4) £5,000-£6,000

Q.G.M. London Gazette 6 January 1975:

‘In recognition of services in Northern Ireland during the period 1 May 1974 to 31 July 1974.’

The following extract from a letter of congratulation upon the award of the Q.GM. to the recipient, written by Lieutenant General Sir Jack Harman, K.C.B., O.B.E., M.C., adds the following:

‘Your presence of mind and coolness in the face of considerable danger in the Lower Falls on 21 May 1974 were an example to us all.’

The recipient’s account of the above incident adds:

‘The award was issued following an ambush in the Lower Falls area of Belfast in May 1974 by the IRA upon a patrol in which l was a private soldier. Hand grenades were used on a covert observation post during which a soldier was seriously injured. The patrol l was part of came across the ambush and challenged a gunman who fired and wounded the patrol commander who fell in to the street in direct line of fire of the gunman. I ran into the street and managed to get the wounded NCO back into cover under fire from the gunman. I then returned fire and hit the gunman who was taken away by a large crowd that gathered and substantially outnumbered the soldiers on the ground. In the ensuing follow up no trace was located of the gunman as was common at that time.’

Paul Brian James Broome served with the 3rd Battalion, The Light Infantry in Northern Ireland. After leaving the army, he served as a Police Constable.

Sold with the following related documents: Letter of congratulation from Lieutenant General Sir Jack Harman, K.C.B., O.B.E., M.C., Headquarters 1st British Corps, dated 3 January 1975; Letter to the same effect from General Sir Harry Tuzo, G.C.B., O.B.E., M.C., Commander-In-Chief British Army of The Rhine, dated 6 January 1975; Copy of Commanding Officer’s Orders [Lieutenant Colonel J. D. G. Pank, 3rd Battalion, The Light Infantry] announcing award, dated 6 January 1975; 2 photographs of recipient in uniform serving in Northern Ireland, including one which was taken a few days prior to the ambush and shows the recipient and the soldier that he rescued.