South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (24585045 Gdsm. J. S. Mitchell, S.G.), mounted court-style as worn, extremely fine £1400-1600

Mitchell received a gunshot wound to his head during the Left Flank, 2nd Battalion’s attack on Mount Tumbledown on 14 June 1982, an action in which his regiment sustained losses of eight killed and over 40 wounded. Mention of his subsequent evacuation is to be found in Summer Soldier, an account of the experiences of fellow Scots Guardsman Philip Williams:

‘Later someone said to me that it must have been awful having to carry my mates down on stretchers seeing them injured. It wasn’t. There was something really satisfying about it. And anyway, what’s the point in anything if you can’t help somebody who needs help?

One of the casualties was a chap I knew quite well, Jim Mitchell. I said to him, trying to cheer him up, “Typical of you, Mitchell, trying to hitch an easy lift back, you lazy sod.”

He tried to smile but blood came out of his mouth. That was awful all right.’