Four: Brigadier M. R. Raworth, 7 Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, who was Mentioned in Despatches for services in Northern Ireland

General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. M. R. Raworth RA.); U.N. Medal, on UNFICYP riband; Rhodesia 1980 (Capt M R Raworth RA) with usual Rhodium-plate finish; Jubilee 2002, unnamed as issued; together with the related miniature awards for the first three (the suspension on the miniature Rhodesia medal broken), edge bruise to GSM, otherwise extremely fine (4) £2,400-£2,800

M.I.D. London Gazette 3 October 1972:
‘For distinguished service in Northern Ireland during the period 1 February to 30 April 1972.’

Michael Richard Raworth was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, on 19 December 1969. He was promoted Lieutenant on 19 June 1971; Captain on 19 December 1975; Major on 19 October 1981; Lieutenant-Colonel on 30 June 1986; Colonel on 30 June 1992; and Brigadier on 31 December 1992. He retired on 2 January 2004 and was appointed to the Reserve of Officers.

Most of Raworth’s career was spent in 7 Parachute Regiment R.H.A. which he later commanded from 1989-91. He joined in 1970 and it was during the first of three tours in Northern Ireland with the Regiment that he was awarded a Mention in Despatches for leading a quick ambush which resulted in the capture and imprisonment of five members of the I.R.A. In all he did five tours in Northern Ireland. As a Captain he undertook an emergency tour in Cyprus with No. 1 Air Contact Team when Turkish forces invaded North Cyprus in 1974, and Operation Agila (the Commonwealth Monitoring Force) in Rhodesia 1979. After attending Staff College and fulfilling a staff appointment in HQ 22 Armoured Brigade in Germany, he returned to 7 Parachute Regiment R.H.A. as a Major/Battery Commander: during this time his battery completed a 6 month operational tour in Belize. After promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel he commanded the Regiment and as a Brigadier was Commander Royal Artillery in 3 (UK) Division. His last appointment in the Army was as the Defence Adviser in Pretoria.

Note: A proportion of the hammer price of this lot is being donated to the Airborne Gunner Trust (Registered Charity no. 1192655).