The Collection of Second World War and Modern Gallantry Awards formed by the late William Oakley

A Good Northern Ireland M.M. pair awarded to Corporal W. J. Monks, 1st Battalion, Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, who was awarded the M.M. for ‘his exemplary display of leadership and courage whilst a Section Commander in the Lower Falls area of Belfast in 1973 ... which resulted in the arrest of no less than three gunmen’

Military Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (24040476 Cpl. W. J. Monks, Q.L.R.); General Service 1962, E.II.R., 1st issue, 2 clasps, South Arabia, Northern Ireland (24040476 L./Cpl. W. J. Monks, Lan. R. (PWV)), some minor contact wear, otherwise generally good very fine (2) £8000-10000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Second World War and Modern Gallantry Awards formed by the late William Oakley.

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M.M. London Gazette 18 September 1973.

Just two Military Medals were awarded to the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment from the time of the regiments formation in 1970 up until the time the Military Medal was discontinued in the revised honours system of 1993. The other Q.L.R. M.M. was awarded to Lance-Corporal K. M. Cross and was announced in the same issue of the London Gazette.



Sold with the following original letters of congratulation:

(i) Dated 14.9.1973, from Lieutenant-General Sir Roland Gibbs, K.C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., H.Q. 1st British Corps: ‘... Your acts of courage and display of leadership during your tour of duty in Belfast have been an inspiration to us all ...’

(ii) Dated 17.9.1973 ,from Lieutenant-General Sir Frank King, K.C.B., M.B.E., H.Q. Northern Ireland: ‘ ... I know of your great success as a Section Commander which has resulted in the arrest of several wanted men. Your courage under fire and in other dangerous situations has been an example to all who have served with you... ’

(iii) Dated 17.9.1973, from Brigadier M. H. H. Collins, M.B.E., H.Q. The King’s Division.

(iv) Dated 17.9.1973, from [General Sir] John Archer, H.Q. 2nd Division: ‘From what I hear it is just reward for your exceptional performance as a patrol commander under real operational conditions which, I gather, resulted in the arrest of no less than three gunmen ...’

(v) Dated 24.9.1973, from Major P. J. Ryan, R.H.Q., The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment.

(vi) Dated 26.9.1973, from General Sir Harry Tuzo, G.C.B., O.B.E., M.C., Commander-in-Chief, British Army of The Rhine.

(vii) Dated 28.9.1973, from Lieutenant-Colonel J. R. Filmer-Bennett, O.B.E., M.C., Infantry and GSC Manning and Record Office.

(viii) Dated 19.9.1973, telegram from 39 Infantry Brigade: ‘Congratulations on your well deserved award of a Military Medal for your exemplary display of leadership and courage whilst a section commander in the Lower Falls area of Belfast.’