Four: Military Medal, Elizabeth II second type, (P037457N Ac...

Estimate

£35,000 - £40,000

Four: Military Medal, Elizabeth II second type, (P037457N Acpl A R Bishop RM); South Atlantic Medal 1982, with combat zone rosette (named as above), General Service Medal, 1962, with clasp Northern Ireland (Mne 1 A.R. Bishop PO37457 RM); UNFICYP medal for Peacekeeping, (un-named as issued). EF, mounted court style.

MM recorded in London Gazette Supplement 8th October 1982 page 12841 “Acting Corporal Andrew Ronald Bishop, Royal Marines, PO37457N. On the night of 11th/12th June, on the Island of East Falkland, 45 Commando Royal
Marines launched a silent night attack against strongly held enemy positions on the craggy hill
feature of Two Sisters. Initially, until eventually detected by the enemy, they achieved brilliant surprise. In the fierce fighting that erupted Acting Corporal Bishop’s Section Commander was killed by intense fire from an enemy machine gun post. Showing a complete disregard for his own safety, Acting Corporal Bishop rallied his Section
and led them forward to assault and take the enemy’s position. His clear assessment and determination under fire inspired his colleagues and made a vital contribution to the overall success of the attack.”

Following on from other operations for the Liberation of S. Georgia and the Falkland Islands: on the 21st May 1982 4000 men from the Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment staged an amphibious
landing in the San Carlos Water region of East Falkland in response to the Argentinian invasion of 2nd April. On 28th May Lieutenant Colonel H Jones, commanding 2nd Battalion Paratroop Regt, was killed during the battle of Goose Green for which he was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Two weeks later, on 11th/12th June, the action of Two Sisters (45 Commando) was one of three successful simultaneous night assaults, the others being on Mount Harriet
(42 Commando) and Mount Longdon (3rd Battalion Paratroop Regt, known as “The Bloodiest Battle”, where Sgt Ian McKay lost his life and was awarded the second VC of the conflict). Two days later, on 14th June the Argentine forces agreed a cease fire with the official surrender document being formally
signed on the 15th June. The Royal Marines were awarded 10 Military Medals during the conflict. Also included in this lot is a framed chart of “Operation Corporate” entitled “45 Commando Royal Marines East Falkland 21st May to 16th June 1982” which shows the route “yomped” across from landing base “Ajax Bay” through to Port Stanley via Teal inlet, a distance of approximately 125km,
with the salient positions marked. The chart 99cm x 46cm is autographed “A. Whitehead Lt Col RM” (Lieutenant Colonel Andrew F. Whitehead, who was awarded the D.S.O. for his service). “Two Sisters” was a particularly poignant action for Andrew Bishop as he was alongside his Section Commander when the latter lost his life. Following popular public support a campaign medal was
authorised on 13th July 1982, (H.M. the Queen is attributed to the design of the ribbon which was based on the Atlantic Star of
WWII with the original colours mirrored) the medal being produced within six weeks
and was first seen in public during the Victory Parade in London 13 weeks after the authorisation.

The military medal was presented to Corporal Bishop by HM Queen Elizabeth II

A photograph of Acting Corporal Bishop in combat dress whilst serving in the Falklands is also included in this lot, as is a brass shell case (325mm high x 125mm diam at base) the base of which is marked “L36A3 SUPER” and "105MM Fd 1977" among other stampings. This was brought home by Andrew as it was one of the last rounds fired on the Falklands.

The following lots  from this sale are also related to these items;

Lot 118

Lot 130

Lot 135