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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 583

An unusual Drum Major's B.E.M. awarded to Staff Sergeant A. H. Bokenham, Royal Anglian Regiment, who both led the band and served Operational with his Battalion for two years in Londonderry, Northern Ireland and then led the Corps of Drums at the Guard Mounting Ceremony in Gibraltar after Operation Flavius, 'in the full flare of the international media'

British Empire Medal, Military Divison, E.II.R. (24070466 SSgt Anthony H Bokenham R Anglian), in its Royal Mint box of issue, on its original investiture pin, good very fine

B.E.M. London Gazette 16 June 1990, the original recommendation states:

'Staff Sergeant Bokenham has commanded the Corps of Drums for two years in Londonderry, two years in Gibraltar and now in Colchester. In Londonderry the Drums formed an operational rifle platoon and played a full part in Battalion operations, but still managed to retain and develop their skills as drummers and machine gunners. Indeed the platoon won the Army GPMG SF Competition in 1986. When the Battalion moved to Gibraltar the Corps of Drums assumed a heavy and high profile ceremonial commitment, while still taking a full part in all Battalion activities. This meant that the Platoon was one of the busiest elements of the Battalion throughout the Gibraltar tour. Staff Sergeant Bokenham approached this challenge with immense energy, enthusiasm and complete devotion to duty, building a platoon with an unrivalled esprit de corps and a first class professional performance on parade and in the field.

The Corps of Drums were present on the nine major parades conducted by the Battalion in Gibraltar and, with the exception of two short periods of block leave and exercise commitments, all of the weekly Convent Guard parades. On 8 March 1988, following the thwarted attack by the IRA in Gibraltar, the Corpe of Drums led the Guard Mounting ceremony in the full glare of the international media and under the continued possibility of terrorist attack. Their steadiness and bearing on that and subsequent parades was in the very best traditions of the British Army and was much remarked upon.

The platoon furnished drummers to support the British diplomatic staff in Spain and Morocco and met a heavy demand to enhance social life in Gibraltar. They took their full share of routine Battalion duties and worked hard to maintain basic infantry skills and specialist machine gun expertise at a high level. Staff Sergeant Bokenham also ensured that their musical engagements within the Battalion were always fully and generously serviced. On return to Colchester the Corps of Drums once again rapidly readapted to the different requirements of an operational tour in South Armagh.

The platoon's high standards, morale and achievements in all fields are the direct result of Staff Sergeant Bokenham's wholehearted leadership, single minded devotion to his vocation and the time and care he lavishes on the well being and development of his soldiers and NCOs.

Staff Sergeant. Bokenham's complete service, from the time he joined the Battalion as a Junior Soldier in May 1968, has been spent with the Corps of Drums of this Battalion. His two years in Gibraltar, in which the Corpe of Drums have reached a peak of performance under his leadership, are but the culmination of twenty years of total commitment to music, soldiering and Regimental life. His immense pride in the Corps of Drums achievement is entirely justified, since he has worked all hours, and consistently placed his duty to the service and the care of his men before his personal interests and comfort and those of his family. He is held in the highest esteem and affection by all ranks. Staff Sergeant Bokenham, who was promoted to substantive WO2 on 30 June 1989, has set a remarkable example of unswerving and unselfish service by a devoted and loyal regimental soldier, and I recommend very strongly that this be recognised by the highest appropriate award.

Anthony H. Bokenham was a native of Long Melford and had been in service since the age of 15. He served in Northern Ireland, where he was present in Ireland during the visit to the city of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. During his career he undertook at least four separate tours of Northern Ireland.

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Estimate

Starting price
£170