A Collection of Medals to the Hampshire Regiment

An exceptional ‘Malaya’ M.M. group six awarded to Warrant Officer J. H. Wheeler, Royal Hampshire Regiment, for an action in December 1955 in which he personally shot dead at least one Communist terrorist - seven years later in 1965 he won the Army Best Shot Medal

Military Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (22820763 Cpl., R. Hamps.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (22820763 Pte., R. Hamps.); U.N. Cyprus; General Service 1962, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (22820763 W.O.Cl.2, M.M., R. Hamps.); Army Best Shot Medal, E.II.R., 1 clasp, 1965 (22820763 Sgt., R. Hamps.); Regular Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (22820763 W.O.Cl.1, MM, R. Hamps) several quite severe edge bruises, otherwise generally nearly very fine and a unique group (6)
£8000-10000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Hampshire Regiment.

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M.M. London Gazette 24 February 1956.

The following is extracted from the original recommendation:

‘On 12th December 1955 a composite Company located a communist terrorist camp on a steep hillside in very thick jungle. After 4 hours of movement carried out in complete silence a cordon was placed in position round the camp using two and a half platoons. The camp was then assaulted by the remaining half platoon.

Cpl Wheeler owing to a shortage of NCOs in his platoon was commanding two sections. He and his two sections crowded into position within sight of the camp down a very steep spur and he personally placed each man in position moving silently and with infinite care. He and his men then remained in position without movement for rather over two hours until the camp was assaulted from the opposite side. As soon as the assault party opened fire the terrorists in the camp fled firing as they ran. Six of them endeavoured to escape through Cpl Wheeler’s party and all were shot dead. Cpl Wheeler himself killing at least one. As a result of this most successful engagement twelve terrorists were killed or captured out of a total of thirteen or fourteen in the camp.

Cpl Wheeler’s leadership, steadiness under fire and devotion to duty was not only an inspiration to his men but played an indispensable part in the success of this most successful operation.’