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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 39

(x) General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (22830385 Tpr. B. P. Newsome. SAS.), very fine

B. P. Newsome served with the SAS, known at the time as the Malayan Scouts, who played a pivotal role in Britain's involvement in the Malayan Emergency between 1948 - 60. In 1945, the Malayan Communist Party launched an anti-colonial attack against British rule. The Malayan Races Liberation Army subsequently raided various British colonial assets such as rubber plantations and tin mines. The spark for the war came when the M.R.L.A. assassinated three European plantation managers in Sungai Siput, Perak. The 'Ferret Force' was established in July 1948 which comprised of former Force 136 commandos and two troops from both the Royal Malay Regiment and the Gurka Rifles. This 'Ferret Force' later developed into the Malaya Scouts, which eventually led to a permanent restoration of the SAS as the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment in 1951.

This new regiment established key principles of modern counterinsurgency and small-unit jungle tactics. The regiment operated in Malaya primarily between 1950-58, specialising in airborne assaults, long-range patrols and warfare in some of the world's most challenging, tropical terrain. Their primary aim was to cut off enemy food supplies and forcing guerrilla soldiers to the edges of the jungle to promote more conventional warfare outside of the jungle. The Independent Parachute Squadron joined the SAS from 1955 - 1957.

From 1950, Harold Briggs, Directory of Operations, had been implementing the 'Briggs Plan' which forcibly resettled Chinese communities (who formed a large proportion of M.L.N.A.) into 'New Villages'. These villages were compacted and defendable communities which aimed to cut off anti-colonial support. The conflict then concluded on 31 July 1960 after 12 years of fighting. The communist appeal declined after Malaya's independence in 1957 and many guerillas gave up the fight under the new Federation of Malaya.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£800 to £1,200

Starting price
£600