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Lieutenant Cox, of 5 Platoon, was pinned down in the same area, so that it was left to the N.C.O.s 4 and 5 Platoons to carry on the
fight. When he was hit, Lieutenant Bickerdyke called out to his platoon sergeant, ‘Sergeant McKay; it’s your platoon now.’
The next phase of the action was thus led by Sergeant Ian McKay, with some of his own men of 4 Platoon and with Corporal Bailey’s
section from 5 Platoon. Corporal Bailey again.
‘Ian and I had a talk and decided the aim was to get across to the next cover, which was thirty-five metres away. There were some
Argentinian positions there but we didn’t know the exact location. He shouted out to the other corporals to give covering fire, three
machine-guns altogether, then we – Sergeant McKay, myself and three private soldiers to the left of us – set off. As we were moving
across the open ground, two of the privates were killed by rifle or machine-gun fire almost at once; the other private got across and into
cover. We grenaded the first position and went past it without stopping, just firing into it, and that’s when I got shot from one of the
other positions which was about ten feet away. I think it was a rifle. I got hit in the hip and went down. Sergeant McKay was still going
on to the next position but there was no one else with him. The last I saw of him, he was just going on, running towards the remaining
positions in that group. I was lying on my back and I listened to men calling each other. They were trying to find out what was
happening but, when they called out to Sergeant McKay, there was no reply. I got shot again soon after that, by bullets in the neck and
hand.’
Ian Bailey’s identity discs, found on the battlefield the following year
Included with the lot are the recipient’s metal identity tags as worn by him during the action at Mount Longdon. These are inscribed
with his name, regimental number, religious denomination and blood group and are still attached to their green nylon chord. The
chord was perforated during the early hours of 12 June 1982 by an Argentinian bullet which inflicted a severe wound to the back of
Bailey’s neck. These tags were found at Mount Longdon the following year by a Sergeant Major in the Royal Engineers, who was part of
the clearing team tasked with removing explosive ordnance from the battlefield. On his return from the Falklands he located Bailey and
sent them back to him together with a photograph showing the position on the battlefield where he had found them and this
photograph is also included with the lot.
The following original documentation is also sold with the lot:
i) Postcard depicting the S.S. Canberra, written by the recipient to his future wife whilst aboard that ship deploying to the Falklands.
ii) Photocopy of Certificate of Service confirming places served and medal entitlement.
iii) Photocopy of original recommendation for M.M.
iv) Congratulatory telegram from Prince Charles, dated 8 October 1982. ‘... I have the greatest possible admiration for the gallantry you
displayed and for the way in which you maintained the very highest tradition of the regiment.’
v) Congratulatory letter from Colonel G. D. Farrell, MBE, Parachute Regiment, dated 10 October 1982. ‘... Your name will be recorded
in our regimental history for ever and youngsters who follow will look up to you as an example of what is required in a parachute
soldier...’
vi) Congratulatory letter from Major M. H. Argue, M.C., 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment. ‘... There is no doubt in my mind that it is a
fitting tribute for all that you did on Mount Longdon and more especially for all the pain and discomfort you suffered since. It was the
sheer guts and bravery of you and others which enabled us to win Longdon and that’s something which those of us who were there will
carry to our graves...’
www.dnw.co.uk
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