Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 185 Sold by order of the recipient’s widow


A well-documented and rare 1964 ‘Radfan operations’ M.M. group of four awarded to Colour Sergeant W. G. B. Paterson, 45 Commando, Royal Marines, an expert mountaineer who survived a 100 foot fall during a training accident, breaking nearly every bone in his body, only to go on two years later and distinguish himself leading his men during perilous night time insertions over unknown mountainous terrain. Over the course of May - July 1964, Paterson came to fore during the actions of Wadi Dhubsan and Wadi Aimaan, the latter being an ambush which led to a fierce ‘contact’, and the death of several native dissidents - One of only seven M.M’s awarded for the Radfan Campaign


Military Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (RM.18511 Sgt. G. B. [sic] Paterson. R.M.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 2 clasps, Malaya, E.II.R., Canal Zone (RM.18511 W. G. B. Paterson. Mne. R.M.) 2nd clasp loose on riband as issued; General Service 1962-2007, 3 clasps, Radfan, South Arabia, Northern Ireland (RM.18511 W. G. B. Paterson. M.M. Sgt. R.M.) 2nd and 3rd clasps loose on riband as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (RM.18511 Sgt. W. G. B. Paterson. M.M. R.M.) mounted as originally worn, minor edge bruising overall, therefore generally nearly very fine or better (4)


£12,000-£15,000 M.M. London Gazette 27 April 1965:


‘For distinguished service in operations in the Radfan Area, Western Aden Protectorate during the period 13th April to 15th October 1964.’


William George Begg Paterson was born in Glasgow, Scotland in November 1931. He enlisted in the Royal Marines at Plymouth in March 1949. Paterson served with 40 Commando, 13 June 1954 - 29 December 1955. He advanced to Lance Corporal in January 1953, and to Corporal in January 1955. Paterson served with 42 Commando 30 December 1955 - 3 August 1956, and transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve in February 1957. He was discharged the following month due to deciding to emigrate, however, Paterson re- enlisted as a Marine in January 1959, advanced to Corporal and rejoined 40 Commando in April 1959.


Paterson survived a 100 foot fall during a training exercise on Dartmoor, 27 June 1962. His rope snapped and he suffered multiple broken bones. After a period of several months recuperation in hospital, Paterson returned to service with a metal plate in his arm.


Paterson was promoted Sergeant and served with 45 Commando, 31 January 1964 - 10 January 1965. During the latter period Paterson was to operate with 45 Commando in the Radfan Area, a particularly mountainous and treacherous terrain perfect for guerilla warfare. He arrived at a period when rebel activity had increased through mining and ambushing vehicles along the Dhala Road. A new operation was to be carried out with British troops in response to this:


‘We are now entering what could possibly be called the ‘break-in’ phase of the Radfan campaign. Our troops were getting ready to penetrate deep into the heart of dissident-held territory and settle the matter from there. This new body was formed rather like an expeditionary force in the colonial wars of old and was assembled in mid-April, 1964, under the Commander, Aden Garrison, Brigadier R. L. Hargroves. The force was roughly of brigade strength and the operation was to be mounted from the base at Thumier. Training during April was aimed at preparing Four Five for the forthcoming operation and, towards the end of the month, the unit at Little Aden was joined by B Company, 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment (Major Peter Walter), who had come from Bahrein. B Company subsequently came under command for the operation.’ (Four Five The story of 45 Commando Royal Marines 1943-1971, by D. Young refers)


The training for the insertion was originally based around the use of helicopters, however, after consideration it was decided this was impractical due to the lack of helicopters available, the terrain and the insecure landing zones. It had been thought that the severe climate and the harsh terrain would negate the ability of British troops to operate in the area in daylight or night without the use of such transport. The necessity for action replaced common-held thought and it was decided for a deep penetration to be carried out by night:


‘The plan was... to hold the big rocky hill feature nicknamed ‘Cap Badge’ which dominated the village of Danaba, believed to be the main dissident stronghold. ‘Cap Badge’ divided the Wadi Taym and Danaba basin, a fertile area some three miles wide and nine miles long, flanked by forbidding mountain ranges. The ridge to the north of this basin was nicknamed ‘Rice Bowl’. There were two lines of approach into this area from Thumier. The first, and most direct, was the Wadi Rabwa which was already blocked and held by the rebels and led into the plain from the south-west. The second was the Wadi Boran, which was much rougher and longer and led into the plain from the west between two features nicknamed ‘Coca Cola’ and ‘Sand Fly’. (Ibid)


The operation, involving 400 men, began on the night of 30 April 1964. Paterson served with X Company, 1 Troop under the command of Major M. Banks. X and Y Companies were to proceed along the Wadi Boran, and branch off to ‘Rice Bowl’, whilst Z Company was to make for the summit of ‘Sand Fly’. At midnight they received a radio transmission that the parachute drop for B Company of the Paras had been cancelled, and despite 45 Commando’s progress their objective was to change. Z Company were still to head for ‘Sand Fly’, whilst X Company now had the formidable prospect of trekking to ‘Coca Cola’:


‘‘Coca Cola’ was some 1,500 feet higher than their present position and the climb had not been studied in detail. Z Company was already well on the way to its target and so the details for X and Y had to be hastily revised. Under the light of carefully shaded torches the steep route up ‘Coca Cola’ was scrutinised on the air photographs. Major Mike Banks of X Company was himself an expert mountaineer, but even he, at this impromptu council of war, viewed the prospect with some trepidation, especially as some of the men were so heavily loaded with mortars and machine guns.


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