GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY M.M. London Gazette 13 January 1944. The original recommendation submitted by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Blair Mayne states:
‘During operations at Bagnara on the 4th September 1943 while crossing a road which was enfiladed and swept by machine gun fire three men were wounded and fell in the middle of the road unable to move. Several attempts were made to reach these wounded but the heavy enemy machine gun fire drove them back. Private Higham, however, using a small gutter crawled up the road and although each time he appeared heavy fire was brought down on him he brought the wounded back one by one.’
The following in relation to the raid on Bagnara is extracted from the book, Paddy’s Men: The History of The Special Raiding Squadron, by Stewart McLean:
‘The raiders began making preparations for their next task which was to be yet another amphibious landing under the codename of Operation Baytown, in which the Squadron’s objectives were to capture, occupy and hold Bagnara Calabria, a small town on Italy’s west coast. If the landings were succesful the Squadron was then to advance and prevent the enemy from destroying any of the important bridges or installations that could delay the main forces, which were to follow up.’
The landing was made in the early hours of 4 September 1943 and met with no immediate opposition, however this was soon to change:
‘The men of ‘B’ and ‘C’ Sections of No. 1 Troop met with a deadly onslaught of heavy machine-gun and mortar fire. Two soldiers from the sections were caught by the fierce fire and killed outright while seven others received serious wounds. Some men, having seen what had just happened, tried to move up and rescue their comrades from what was turning into a very serious situation. The dead and wounded were lying in the middle of the road where they had fallen and the enemy machine gunners continued to pour fire into them. The Germans realised instantly what the others were trying to do when they spotted their movements and laid down an even heavier barrage onto the road. Brave and undoubtedly committed as they were, the ferocity and accuracy of the enemy fire forced them to retreat. One man, Private Richard Higham, however, felt that he had spotted a solution to the problem when he noticed a small gutter that ran alongside the road. He knew instinctively that there was no time to waste and so decided not to wait for any help. Acting alone, he took his chance and by using the gutter as cover was able to crawl up alongside the casualties. Private Higham showed total disregard for the continuous enemy fire thrown at him and managed to bring the wounded and dead back one by one...’
M.I.D. London Gazette 1 May 1953. An original typed copy of the recommendation for this award signed by Major Barker, ‘D’ Squadron, S.A.S. is included with the lot from which the following is extracted:
‘Throughout Operation League Squadron Sergeant Major Higham fulfilled the requirements of a Troop Commander, leading his Troop with spirit and applying the principles of success which he has developed over a period of fifteen years. On occasion there were periods of difficulty calling for endurance and the exercise of firm discipline in the Field, and over a confusing jungle country he operated with his Troop independently. The success with which his Troop performed was largely due to his inspiration and the excellent spirit of his Troop was a firm reflection of his leadership.’
Richard Higham was born in Preston, Lancashire in 1918 and enlisted into the King’s Own Royal Regiment on 23 February 1937, aged 19. He saw active service in Palestine with this regiment in 1938, prior to serving in Iraq, India and Egypt from 1939-1942. He qualified as a parachutist and transferred to 1st Special Air Service on 1 October 1942, which subsequently became the Special Raiding Squadron when Robert Blair Mayne took command following the capture of the Special Air Service’s founder, David Stirling. Having already taken part in many operations in Africa Higham went on to win his M.M. for Operation Baytown at Bagnara, Italy.
On 6 April 1945 he left for an operation in North West Europe with 1 S.A.S. and was reported wounded and missing on 1 May 1945, being repatriated shortly afterwards. Post war he served with the Army Air Corps and Parachute Regiment until August 1947 when he was transferred back to his parent unit, The King’s Own. However, by 1951 he was back with the Special Air Service (Malayan Scouts) serving in Malaya where he was mentioned in despatches for Operation League. In 1954 he returned to the King’s Own, with which regiment he remained until he took his discharge from the army on 10 May 1960 having served 23 years and 36 days, at which time his military conduct was given as ‘exemplary.’ Richard Higham died on 2 March 1993, aged 73 years.
Sold with numerous copied pages taken from recipient’s official service record file giving much detail and a quantity of original documentation and photographs, comprising:
i. Special Air Service Regimental Association membership card, membership number ‘998’ and named ‘R. Higham, MM’ ii. Regular Army Enlistment Certificate, dated 23 February 1937.
iii. Regular Army Certificate of Service ‘Red Book’, which gives details of overseas postings and confirms his full medal entitlement.
iv. Six original photographs of recipient, including one taken outside Buckingham Palace following award ceremony wearing SAS beret; two in regimental boxing team and a group photograph including Higham wearing his medals. v. Transmission slip for M.I.D. oak leaf and original copy of The London Gazette, dated 28 April 1953.
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