ClaytonE

Ready for remembrance parade. We will remember them.

Owain. Gallantry and bravery medals look nice and he could probably have received either of those for his actions. I'm sure he was happy to receive the DSM for doing his job. He was always proud of it but never said much about it. Clayton

Owain, Many thanks Out of interst. Was the DSM the highest award for junior officers and soldiers for gallantry? The criteria states risk of life but not in the face of the enemy but Roy was clearly facing an enemy. I wonder if that was why he received the ring, if that was the highest award available then the ring was a gift for going above and beyond. The citation is great and proves his bravery but there is no record anywhere of the ring. Regards Clayton

The Sultan’s Distinguished Service Medal (Midal Khidmat al-Mumtaza us-Sultaniya) was instituted by Sultan Said bin Taimur in 1967. Awarded for distinguished service or devotion to duty over a long period, and for conspicuous acts of gallantry at risk of life, but not in the face of the enemy. Citation At AKOOT on 27th April 1972, during a four-hour-long battle at close quarters in which an officer and three men were wounded, Sergeant Roy showed exceptional courage and devotion to duty by evacuating the injured. To do this he had to leave his car, whilst under considerable enemy fire, and lift them onto the engine decks before he drove them to safety. Not satisfied with this Sergeant Roy, realising that the machine guns were very short of ammunition, returned with several boxes of Browning and GPMG ammunition on his armoured car. Enemy fire was still such that in order to deliver the ammunition, he had to again leave the safety of his car and crawl forward to the machine gun positions with the ammunition on his back. He did this on three occasions. It was largely due to Sergeant Roy’s prompt and brave action that our own troops were able to continue firing and withdraw at last light without further casualties. Very proud this evening.

A development today. I have the citation details, surprising how the award is not in the face face of the enemy yet it was awarded whilst engaged in a 4 hour fire fight. I will leave the outlines for now and copy and paste the whole situation later at home. SGT ROY rescued 4 injured soldiers and officers and returned to save the weapons and deliver ammunition to the front line whilst taking fire. Clayton

922f, Many thanks. I have old colleagues who have friends further up the food chain in Muscat looking into him so maybe one day I will be able to elaborate on his story. I even wrote to antiques roadshow as they have military historians etc but they were not interested. Which having watched some if the stuff they do show surprised me somewhat.

Finished article, very pleased with how it's turned out. Thanks for all you help Owain very much appreciated. Clayton

Received the Khanjar late today. Now to deliver it to the framers to get added to the ribbon. Thanks again Owain for the heads up.

Owain, You are a star. I contacted Spink yesterday, told them about my predicament and if they had a Khanjar I could buy. They have 1 left and said they are happy to send it to me to compliment Roy's medals appropriately. Thanks for the heads up about them. Clayton

Ah right ok. The newer ones of the 2 then. The writing is what made it look so crude. The book was written well after he left the army but he served in Aldergrove for a few years so may have come across the guys again some time and was given the book. Clayton

Owain, Certainly a font of knowledge. Could it have been a child from his sister then? Grandson of Sultan Saeed perhaps. Is there a clear visible difference between the Sultans medals then? Clayton The book cover and the rather crude presentation to him. Does anyone know if Kenny could be Kennedy the author and who Finn is? I think I read Finn in the book at some point. TIA

Owain, Thanks again. In the Soldier I book he was called by his nikname "Lou" you may make the connection with his surname. I will try Spink for the emblem, do you think they would have the records of who received the medals? Didn't realise about the sultan so perhaps not a grandson then unless it was the previous sultan???? When you realise how many questions you needed and should have asked before he died. Thanks again Clayton

Owain, Many thanks for the confirmation of gallantry. It fits with what we were told shame there is no citation for the specific action. We were also told he was given the ring personally by the Sultan for his actions as an additional personal thank you, (we believe he saved his grandson). Has anyone ever seen this ring or similar before? Many thanks Clayton

Owaine, Hi and thanks for the response. I sent you a private message with his name. Regards Clayton

This is the face of the ring. He was presented the ring by the Sultan himself but didn't get his DSM until later in 1972. I don't have the citation but have the letter from DRAC to congratulate him. Unsure if this was awarded for his role in Operation Jaguar or his service with the Sultans Armoured Car Sqn but we were always told he saved the life of a member of the Sultans family. Without the citation I can't prove any of it. My uncle has since died and therefore can't ask him. Any help you can offer is very much appreciated.