Beschreibung:

The mounted group of nine miniature dress medals worn by Major J. C. Meredith, Parachute Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland; South Atlantic 1982, with rosette; Iraq 2003-11, no clasp; Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan, 1 clasp, Afghanistan; Jubilee 2002; Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 1994; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army; Volunteer Reserves Service Medal, E.II.R., mounted court-style as worn, good very fine and better (9) £800-£1,200 Footnote D.C.M. London Gazette 11 October 1982. The following is extracted from the original recommendation for the award of a D.C.M. submitted by Lt Col D. R. Chaundler, Officer Commanding, 2 Para, which is additionally endorsed ‘Very strongly recommended’ by Brigadier J. H. A. Thompson, Major General J. J. Moore and Lieutenant General Sir Richard Trant: ‘Sergeant Meredith was a Platoon Sergeant in D Company 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment during the twenty four days of the Falkland Islands campaign. He was a dedicated and devoted leader, encouraging and steadying the younger soldiers under fire and inspiring the Platoon by his personal example. In the battle for Port Darwin and Goose Green on 28th/29th May 1982, during the later stages of a long and demanding day, his Platoon Commander was killed while advancing on an enemy position which it was assumed had surrendered. Five men, including one wounded, survived in the Platoon Commander's party but were in a perilous and exposed position. With conspicuous gallantry and presence of mind, Sergeant Meredith rapidly assumed command of the Platoon, organised covering fire for the trapped men and stabilised the situation. He then personally took a machine gun and moved forward under heavy enemy fire to where he could neutralise the remainder of the enemy and give directions to extricate the trapped men. There is no doubt that these five men owe their lives to Sergeant Meredith’s prompt and gallant action. Subsequently the Platoon under his direction captured the enemy position. Later in the campaign, with a new and inexperienced Platoon Commander, he again showed conspicuous bravery, professionalism and leadership at the battle for Wireless Ridge on the night of 13th/14th June 1982. At a critical moment, when the Platoon's assault on this 1000 metre long ridge looked as if it might flounder, he moved forward to assist his Platoon Commander in leading the Platoon forward in the face of heavy machine gun fire. These two incidents typify Sergeant Meredith's outstanding skill and gallantry throughout the campaign which were in the very highest tradition of the Parachute Regiment.’ Just eight D.C.M.s awarded for the Falklands War, five of which were to men of the Parachute Regiment, three of these to 2 Para, all for Goose Green, of which just one, that awarded to Platoon Sergeant John Meredith D Company, also reflects conspicuous gallantry at the final decisive night attack on Wireless Ridge. John Clifford Meredith was born in 1950 at Bangor, Wales. He joined the British Army in March 1967 and attended selection for the Parachute Regiment, completing his recruit training at Aldershot and initial jumps training at R.A.F. Abingdon. Gaining his wings he was assigned to 2 Para and in 1968 completed a tour of Denmark, 2 months training in the Malayan jungle and a 4 Month tour of Hong Kong. He was deployed to Anguilla for Operation Sheepskin in 1969 and then, declining promotion, he undertook his 1st tour of Northern Ireland in 1970 on Operation Banner - on the peace line between the Shankhill and the Falls Road. Subsequent tours of Northern Ireland followed in 1971 and 1972, the latter being a very busy and dangerous tour in the New Lodge area, where, working with the Ammunition Technical Officer, Meredith and another member of his section were the first to fire the Carl Gustaf 84mm recoilless rifle at car bombs. Later in 1972 he also completed