The North West Frontier 1940 operations and Arakan 1944 operations M.C. and Bar group of six awarded to Major F. W. M. Quigley, Indian Army: the recommendation for his second M.C. was originally for a D.S.O. - and describes how he stood atop an enemy position amidst a ‘shower of grenades and bullets’

Military Cross, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar, the reverse of the Cross officially dated ‘1940’ and the reverse of the Bar ‘1944’; India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (Lt. F. W. MacD. Quigley, 2-4 Bombay Grs.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine and better (6) £2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Ron Penhall Collection.

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M.C. London Gazette 31 May 1940:

‘For gallant and distinguished services in action in connection with the recent operations on the North West Frontier.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 27 July 1944. The original recommendation - for a D.S.O. - states:

‘In the West Mayu, Arakan, on 10 April 1944, two companies of the 8/19 Hyderabad Regiment were ordered to capture an important feature. The troops had arrived in the area only that day and were going into action for the first time in their lives.

The assault involved a night march of over 1,000 yards over very difficult, broken country covered with thick jungle followed by a steep climb of 700 feet also through thick jungle.

Acting Major Quigley was the commander of the leading company and led the approach. It was his indomitable spirit which kept his men going through an extremely arduous march of some eight hours. He led his men up to and deployed them about 10 yards from the objective and then led the assault. He stood up on the top of the hill directing and encouraging his men completely regardless of his own safety and of the shower of grenades and bullets all around. His leadership was decisive and the enemy were driven from the position. He rapidly re-organised and beat off an immediate counter-attack. Throughout the operation his conduct was beyond praise. It was his determination which encouraged his men to overcome the many difficulties of the approach and his magnificent personal example and fine leadership of young inexperienced troops which led to the success of the operation.’

Festus William MacDonagh Quigley was born at Chakrata in the Upper Provinces, India in March 1911 and, having served for two years in the ranks of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, was recommended for a commission. He subsequently attended the R.M.C. Sandhurst and was appointed to the I.A. Unattached List as a 2nd Lieutenant in August 1933, following which he was posted to the 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry out in India and thence to the 2/4th Bombay Grenadiers.

Advanced to Lieutenant in November 1934, he served on the North West Frontier on attachment to the South Waziristan Scouts as a Wing Officer from June 1939 to June 1941, and was awarded his immediate M.C. for an ‘independent patrol action near the Ladha post on 29 March 1940’. He had, meanwhile, been advanced to Captain, in August 1941.

In February 1943, Quigley transferred to the 19th Hyderabad Regiment in the rank of Acting Major and it was in this capacity that he led the 8th Battalion with such transparent courage in West Mayu in April 1944. His final wartime posting was to G.H.Q., Bombay, as a Major.