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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 382

The scarce G.S.M. awarded to Lance Corporal A. M. Hamilton, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, one of the 'Aden Platoon' a unit of just 36 men attached to the Irish Guards in South Arabia

Completing his service there Hamilton was later commended by the General Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland for his 'toughness and determination'

General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, South Arabia, Northern Ireland, unofficial rivets between clasps (24000515 L/Cpl. A. M. Hamilton. 2 SG.) minor edge bruising, good very fine, first clasp scarce to unit

Alexander McKay Hamilton attested for the Scots Guards on 22 January 1965 and served with No. 11 (Aden) Platoon, attached to the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, in South Arabia from October 1966 to April 1967, one of only 36 men of the Scots Guards entitled to the South Arabia Clasp.

A large part of their time there was spent in providing internal security in 'Little Aden' however they did also spend time in Radfan, an article in the Scots Guards Magazine entitled 'A Rose Amongst Thorns' refers stating:

'A complete switch then took place when the Battalion moved up-country to Habilayn- the British base in the Radfan. The country changed from the flat desert of the South into a mass of razor-fanged peaks and steep sliced wadis. The enemy changed too, so did our tactics, to meet the threat of mines, ambushes and night attacks. Christmas and Hogmanay were celebrated as much as we could, and the dissidents obliged by leaving us alone in those nights. The Battalion carried out a large number of operations and was extremely successful in its results. Companies went out into the mountains for three or fours days at a time, visiting the villages by day and retiring to the high ground by night. Most of these operations had their little battle (more often with the locals who would take long range pot-shots by day and come close in by night). The highly trained and well equipped dissident bands attack the more permanent camps.'

Hamilton subsequently served with the Scots Guards in Northern Ireland from August 1971, where he commanded a Special Reconnaissance Patrol, and received a General Officer Commanding-in-Chief's Commendation on 7 May 1972:

'Lance Corporal Hamilton arrived in Ulster with his Battalion on 25 August 1971, as a Guardsman. He quickly proved himself ideally suited to the stresses of patrolling in Belfast. He has displayed tremendous toughness and determination and this led to his promotion to Local Lance Corporal on 1 November 1971.
He was appointed to command a four-man permanent reconnaissance patrol operating in one of the worst areas and was entirely responsible for the operation of his patrol which he has led with extraordinary enthusiasm and tenacity. His performance has been outstanding.

The General Officer Commanding commends Lance Corporal Hamilton for his devotion to duty and directs that an entry be made in the relevant documents in accordance with Queen's Regulations for the Army paragraph 1633 (p).'

(Special Routine Order refers).

Hamilton was discharged on 24 May 1978.

Sold with several images of the recipient including a group photographic image of No. 11 Platoon in Aden, featuring the recipient and copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£450

Starting price
£210