Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good post-War ‘Malaya’ M.B.E. group of nine awarded to Major J. F. V. Carruth, 2/2nd King Edward VII Own Gurkha Rifles and Seaforth Highlanders, subsequently Gold Coast Regiment

The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals; General Service 1918-62, G.VI.R., 2 clasps, Malaya, Arabian Peninsula (Capt. J. F. V. Carruth, M.B.E., Seaforth) unit officially corrected; U.N. Cyprus; U.N. Congo; Ghana United Nations Medal, clasp, Congo, first six medals with contact wear, therefore nearly very fine, otherwise nearly extremely fine (9) £500-£600

M.B.E. London Gazette 9 December 1949: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Malaya during the period 1st January 1949 to 30th June 1949.’

The original recommendation states:

‘Captain Carruth has been employed as a signalling Officer of this Battalion [2/2nd K.E.VII Own Gurkha Rifles] for the whole period of approx. six months, that it has been deployed deep in the jungle and always many miles away from Road-head.

As Signalling Officer Capt Carruth has proved that the 68 set could be used over very long ranges (in one case 44 miles) and has thereby enabled small columns to be separated by long distances for indefinite periods without the necessity of carrying the 62 set and the heavy batteries and charging sets necessary for that set. The fact that a 68 set can be carried in the normal way and used efficiently has revolutionised jungle tactics and enables a Bn to cover and control, very large areas of the jungle. All columns in all units are now in wireless communication for the whole time they are out. The reasons are technical and I am unqualified to explain but would say that no technical officer would believe that it was possible before Capt Carruth proved it to be so.

Apart from this most valuable finding, Capt Carruth with the assistance of only one fully trained Sgt Signaller has maintained the most efficient communications during the whole period. For most of this period he has not even had the assistance of a Bde rear link wireless set personnel but communications have never failed. On many days he has personally worked the set for over 12 hours. Capt Carruth’s efforts are well worthy of recognition and I have no hesitation in recommending him for an M.B.E.’

Major John Frederick Victor Carruth was granted an Emergency Commission in the Indian Army on 3 May 1943, with whom he served for the duration of the war, before transferring to the Seaforth Highlanders in January 1946. He was attached to the Brigade of Gurkhas 1950-52, transferring to the Gold Coast Regiment, R.W.A.F.F. on 6 December 1954, Specially Employed in Aden October 1958 to September 1960, and with the Ghana Army October 1960 to December 1961. It is thought that Ghana supplied one battalion to the peacekeeping forces operating during the troubles in the Congo at this time. Major Carruth was latterly Commandant, Haltern Training Area, and resigned his commission on 26 February 1968.