The 1939-45 and Korea War campaign service group of five awarded to Lieutenant J. F. Keay, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, late Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, whose Battalion was awarded a U.S.A. Presidential Unit Citation for its bravery at Kapyong in April 1951 when the enemy ‘attacked savagely under the clangor of bugles and trumpets’

France and Germany Star; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, silver; Korea 1950-53, silver (ZF-9654 J. F. Keay); U.N. Korea (ZF-9654 J. F. Keay), mounted court-style as worn, together with related U.S.A. Presidential Unit Citation riband, extremely fine (6) £250-300

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

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Joseph Ferdinand Keay was appointed a Lieutenant, from the Supplementary Reserve, in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in September 1950, having graduated from the Nova Scotia Technical College, Eastern Command. Posted on attachment to the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (P.P.C.L.I.) in the same month, he was appointed to the Active List in his unit in March 1951 and subsequently fought in Korea. The U.S.A. Presidential Unit Citation awarded to his Battalion in July 1951 was for the bitter fighting at Kapyong:

‘The following units are cited for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of combat duties against the armed enemy near Kapyong, Korea on 24-25 April 1951 - the enemy had broken through the main line of resistance and penetrated to the area north of Kapyong and the units in question were deployed to stem the assault. Early on the 24th, the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, moved to the right flank of the sector and took up defensive positions north of the Pukhon River. The 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry defended in the vicinity of Hill 677 on the left flank. Company ‘A’, 72nd Heavy Tank Battalion, supported all units to the full extent of its capacity and in addition, kept the main roads open and assisted in evacuating the wounded. The enemy attacked savagely under the clangor of bugles and trumpets. The forward elements were completely surrounded going through the first day and into the second. Again and again the enemy threw waves of troops at the gallant defenders, and many times succeeded in penetrating the outer defence, but each time the courageous, indomitable and determined soldiers repulsed the fanatical attacks. Ammunition ran low and there was no time for food. Critical supplies were dropped by air to the encircled troops, and they still stood their ground in resolute defiance of the enemy. In some instances when the enemy penetrated the defences, the commanders directed friendly artillery fire on their own positions in repelling the thrust. Towards the close of the second day, 25 April, the enemy breakthrough had been stopped. The seriousness of the breakthrough on the central front had been changed from defeat to victory by the gallant stand of these heroic and courageous soldiers. The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and Company ‘A’, 72nd Heavy Tank Battalion, displayed such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing their mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set them apart and above other units participating in the campaign, and by their achievements they have brought distinguished credit on themselves, their homelands and all freedom-loving nations’ (Department of the Army, Washington D.C., records refer).

Keay relinquished his commission in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in October 1953, becoming a permanent Lieutenant on the P.P.C.L.I’s strength on the same date (with seniority from September 1950). He was finally released form military service in November 1956.