Sold by Order of Richard Jennings MC

The exceptional ‘Commando Forward Air Controller’s’ M.C. group of five awarded to Lance Bombardier Richard Jennings, 148 Commando Forward Observation Battery, 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery, who was awarded his M.C. for gallantry during Operation Herrick 5 - The sole survivor of his three-man Forward Observation Team following a Taliban rocket-propelled grenade attack on 3 March 2007 in the highly dangerous location of Sangin District Centre, he continued as the sole Forward Air Controller until the team was brought up to full-strength again – Tragically just five-days later his new team commander was also killed by a grenade while only three metres in front of Jennings, who once again ‘rushed towards the seat of the explosion’ and after administering first aid to his fallen comrade, continued to control and deconflict air, aviation and artillery and ‘prosecute the targets allocated to him’ – Jennings had previously been awarded the United States Army Commendation Medal whilst serving with 7 Commando Battery, 45 Commando Group, Royal Marines in Kosovo in 2001

Military Cross, E.II.R., reverse officially inscribed ‘25106782 L Bdr R D Jennings, RA’ and dated ‘2007’; NATO Medal, clasp, Kosovo; Operational Service Medal 2000, clasp, Afghanistan (25106782 Gnr., RA); Iraq 2003, with clasp (25106782 L Bdr, RA); U.S.A. Army Commendation Medal; together with Royal Mint fitted case of issue for M.C., card boxes of issue for O.S.M. and Iraq medals and fitted case of issue for US medal, nearly extremely fine (5) £15000-20000

M.C. London Gazette 19 July 2007.

The following is extracted from the original recommendation:

‘Throughout Operation HERRICK 5, Lance Bombardier Jennings has been employed as a forward air controller (FAC), a role ordinarily fulfilled by at least a substantive bombardier. Despite this, early in the tour he was used as a stand-alone FAC, providing force protection to convoys. It was here that he first began to show his mettle, when on 3 December 2006, he narrowly missed injury as an explosion destroyed a vehicle in front of his on a move through Kandahar.In the immediate aftermath, he displayed magnificent resilience, remaining calm and focused whilst single-handedly coordinating the helicopter response and casualty evacuation. There have been a number of other incidents to test his resolve, though two are of particular note:

In late February 2007, the Taliban ended the Sangin ceasefire dramatically, mounting sustained and accurate daily attacks on the District Centre (DC). In light of the weight and regularity of these attacks, Jennings was flown into Sangin on 27 February 2007 to augment the skeleton team of 2 artillery observers present with M Company. He went into action immediately, using air support over the coming days to suppress and destroy enemy forces.

On 3 March 2007, both of his fellow team members were killed in a rocket-propelled grenade attack. On hearing the explosion, Jennings, at that time standing at the bottom of the observation tower, without hesitation and with total disregard for his own safety, rushed straight up the stairs, past his two fallen colleagues, and proceeded to lay down suppressive fire with his rifle. Once content that the immediate threat had passed, he then switched his attention to the casualties, attempting to apply life-saving first aid prior to the arrival of the medic. Unfortunately, his attempts proved futile and both of his colleagues were declared dead on the scene. Undeterred, Jennings, now not only the sole FAC, but also the only trained artillery observer in the DC, continued, with steadfast resolve, to provide seamless and wholly effective support to the continuing engagement, enabling the subsequent casualty evacuation and reinforcement to occur. As the new full-strength team arrived to replace the casualties, he embedded within them, sharing a heavy workload over the coming days as the frequent, accurate and sustained attacks on the base continued.

The team commander. Warrant Officer Smith, took Jennings very much under his wing and a strong bond formed between them as they worked together in testing circumstances over the next few days. Tragically, on 8 March 2007, Smith too was struck by a grenade, sustaining fatal head injuries. Once again, Jennings, some three metres behind him, undeterred by the obvious danger, rushed forward towards the seat of the explosion, and attempted to administer lifesaving first aid. Once again, though visibly shaken, Jennings held his nerve and showing courage and coolness of a very high order, continued to control and deconflict air, aviation and artillery with his colleagues, and prosecute the targets allocated to him.

Subject to an enduring and significant enemy threat, Lance Bombardier Jennings has demonstrated, time and again, a humbling resolve and fortitude that belies his rank and experience. Through his selflessness, gallantry and coolness in the face of great danger, he undoubtedly has saved lives and constrained the actions of the enemy. He has proved an inspiration to all around him and must not go unrecognised.’

Sold with the following original documentation:

i. Forward Air Controller’s Logbook, detailing recipients UK training and operational tours of Afghanistan between 19 May 2006 and 7 March 2007, including his period at Sangin District Centre for which he was awarded the M.C. The logbook contains details of the dates, theatre, aircraft and weapons used in various actions controlled by the recipient.

ii. Copy of the book, 3 Commando Brigade in Helmand, Afghanistan, by Ewen Southby-Tailyour, in which the recipient is mentioned several times, with title page inscribed by the recipient.

iii. Official copy of the ’Restricted-Honours Citation’ for the award of the Military Cross.

iv. Certificate for the U.S.A. Army Commendation Medal, inscribed ‘Gunner David Richard Jennings, 7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery, 45 Commando Group, Royal Marines – For outstanding achievement while on patrol in support of Task Force Falcon. Your ceaseless efforts on behalf of the mission were crucial to the success of the operation. These actions reflect great credit upon you, the Multinational Brigade East, and NATO’s Kosovo Force, 7 January 2001.’ Signed Brigadier General Kenneth J. Quinlan, Jr, Commanding’, contained in its original green plastic presentation folder, the outer cover embossed in gold with arms of the U.S.A. Department of the Army.

v. Twelve letters of congratulation written to Jennings following the award of his M.C., including:

a) Letter from Brigadier D. A. Capewell, OBE, HQ, 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines, dated 18 July 2007: ‘Very many congratulations on your award of the MC. An absolutely outstanding example of bravery and gallantry under fire. You have now secured a place in national history.’

b) Letter from Brigadier N. D. Ashmore, OBE, HQ Royal Artillery, dated 19 July 2007: ‘It is very much clear that you very much deserved to receive formal recognition for your exceptional bravery in the face of the enemy on 3rd March this year. It is also clear that you acted in accordance with the highest traditions of the British Army in the way that you reacted to the events of that day, including the tragic deaths of two of your colleagues.’

c) Letter from Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, KCB, ADC, dated 18 July 2007: ‘… Your actions were fully in keeping with the finest traditions of both the Royal Artillery and the Commando Forces.’

d) Letter from Major General J. H. Thomas, DSO, Senior British Military Advisor, HQ United States Central Command, dated 16 August 2007: ‘You should be justifiably proud of your courage and the example you set to others. I thank you for all that you did on Herrick.’

vi. Buckingham Palace investiture letter and tickets, dated 20 November 2007.

vii. Seven photographs of recipient, including three taken in Iraq and one of him at Buckingham Palace.

viii. Invitation and program for a luncheon in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen at the Royal Artillery Mess, Larkhill, dated 12 June 2008.

ix. Various newspapers and magazines which make reference to the recipient.