GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY 154


A fine Korean War ‘Battle of Imjin River’ M.M. group of six awarded to Private D. M. R. Walker, Gloucestershire Regiment, late Black Watch and Highland Light Infantry, who served under age during the Second World War in North West Europe and was wounded; volunteering for service in Korea he engaged in a solo shoot-out with the enemy during the Battle of Imjin River, 24 April 1951: ‘slinging his Bren gun to the hip position, he sprang into position and started shooting- almost immediately he himself was hit and severely wounded, but his objective had been achieved.’ Taken Prisoner of War he was again wounded during an American air attack, before escaping, only to be recaptured by the Communists and spending a further two years in captivity


MILITARYMEDAL, E.II.R., 1st issue (22530161 Pte. D. M. R. Walker. Glosters.); 1939-45 STAR; FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR;WAR MEDAL 1939-45; KOREA 1950-53, 1st issue (22530161 Pte. D. M. R. Walker. Glosters.); U.N. KOREA 1950-54, unnamed as issued, extremely fine (6)


£30000-40000


Provenance: Christie’s, November 1990. M.M. London Gazette 8 December 1953:


‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Korea.’


The original recommendation states: ‘During the second phase of the battle of the Imjin River on the night of 23-24 April 1951, the position of the Battalion’s HQ became untenable and a hurried move was made to a ridge immediately south of the original position. This new position had only just been reached and was yet unorganised when, at dawn, an attack materialised. The enemy were engaged by members of the Signal Platoon and among them was Private Walker. Failing in their direct assault up the line of the ridge, some enemy worked unseen along the precipitous slope of the ridge. Their close approach remained undiscovered until grenades and automatic fire started clipping the crest of the ridge. The Signal Platoon replied with grenades but no direct fire could be brought to bear over the crest. The enemy could only be located by one standing on the edge of the crest, who would then be exposed to the close range fire of the enemy. Grenades failing to dislodge the enemy, Private Walker decided to shoot it out with them. Slinging his Bren gun to the hip position and shouting for some grenades to be thrown to cover his action, he sprang to the very edge of the crest and started shooting down the steep slope. Almost immediately he himself was hit and severely wounded, but his objective had been achieved. The enemy made a rapid withdrawal and there was no further trouble at this point. Private Walker’s initiative, fighting spirit, and great gallantry were most praiseworthy.’


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