Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (S.R.1080 Pte. H. M. Smith. S. Rhod. Mil. F.) good very fine £260-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals relating to the Malaya and Korea Campaigns from the Philip Burman Collection.

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Through appeals for volunteers in Rhodesia to serve in the Far East with other Commonwealth troops, a new formation, the Southern Rhodesia Far East Volunteer Unit was formed in 1950. The unit was placed at the disposal of FARELF (Far East Land Forces) and put under the command of Major Peter Walls (later Lieutenant-General). The original contingent of about 100 men (all European) left Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia for Malaya in March 1951 and a further draft of 20 men left in December the same year. In the earlier stages of their service in Malaya the unit acquired the name of ‘Rhodesia Squadron Malaya Scouts’ and subsequently became officially ‘C. (Rhodesia) Squadron’ of the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment. Acquitting themselves well in action in Malaya, the entire unit returned to its homeland, and in September 1953, was disbanded. In 1961 the defunct unit was reformed as “C” Squadron, Rhodesia Special Air Service Regiment