Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A ‘Malayan Emergency’ casualty General Service Medal awarded to 19 year-old Private L. G. Hollebon, The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, who died of wounds received in an ambush on 22 August 1951

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (22413906 Pte. L. G. Hollebon. R.W.K.) extremely fine £240-£280

Leonard George Hollebon was born in the village of Platt, Kent, on 11 January 1932, and spent his childhood at 39, Tollgate Estate, Borough Green, near Sevenoaks. Called up for National Service in 1950, Hollebon was posted to Malaya with “B” Company, 1st Battalion, the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment and became one of the first Battalion battle casualties when his road patrol came under automatic fire from bandits on the road to Batu Arang (Salangor). The Regimental History adds a little more detail:

‘Two of the patrol were wounded (one mortally). The remainder debussed and returned the fire, but no known casualties were inflicted on the bandits. Shortly after this, four men of B Company under 2nd Lieutenant Wilson fought an engagement with about twenty terrorists. The result was inconclusive, but the enemy were forced into rapid flight.’

The recipient’s funeral later took place with full military honours at Kuala Lumpur on 23 August 1951, and he was buried at Cheras Road Christian Cemetery.

Sold with copied research including a photographic image of the recipient.