So what is so interesting about The London Gazette? Well for over 350 years this has been the official publication used for making announcements. This is the issue for announcing all the awards for the Falklands conflict and contains many entries for the Scots Guards.
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the appointment of the undermentioned as Companions of the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of distinguished service during the operations in the South Atlantic:
Distinguished Service Order
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Ian Eldon SCOTT (467628), Scots GuardsLieutenant Colonel Scott was in command of 2nd Battalion Scots Guards when they captured Tumbledown Mountain on East Falklands by a battalion night attack on 13th June 1982 as a part of the plan to secure the vital ground en the approach to Port Stanley. Tumbledown Mountain was known to be held by the enemy in considerable strength. It was equally certain that this enemy had been alerted to the likelihood of a renewed British offensive because of the nature and timing of operations two nights previously.
Lieutenant Colonel Scott planned his attack carefully the Battalion took their first objective without opposition. As they moved to take their second objective the Battalion was met by a heavy concentration of artillery, mortar and machine gun fire. Well positioned enemy snipers dominated the difficult, rising ground over which the Guards had to advance, and harrassed exposed movement. The nature of the ground on the flanks and the weight of enemy fire upon it made manoeuvre impossible. A battle of attrition developed and the success of the plan hung in the balance. This phase lasted for six hours. Throughout, although almost constantly under artillery fire himself, Lieutenant Colonel Scott led his Battalion in an outstanding manner. He personally directed and encouraged the leading Company Commander and his example and coolness inspired and steadied all around him. He caused artillery fire to be brought down close to his forward troops so that they were able to close with the enemy and defeat them. It was due to Lieutenant Colonel Scott's personal determination and leadership that the Scots Guards were able to achieve a break through at this vital point and so capture their main objective.
The outcome of this engagement, which lasted nine hours, was instrumental in breaking the enemy's will to fight on.
The conduct of the Scots Guards during this protracted and exhausting night engagement was exemplary and much of the credit rests with their Commanding Officer.
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Military Cross to the undermentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the operations in the South Atlantic:
Military Cross
Major John Panton KISZELY (486680), Scots Guards.On the night of 13th/14th June 1982, on the Island of East Falkland, the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards attacked well entrenched enemy positions on the craggy ridge feature of Tumbledown Mountain, seven kilometres to the west of Port Stanley. Major Kiszely was commanding the leading Company as they neared the last phase of the assault.
Despite heavy artillery fire from our own guns, the enemy continued to fight back. Major Kiszely immediately appreciated that direct action was essential to maintain the momentum of the attack. Under fire and with a complete disregard for his own safety, he led a group of his men up a gully towards the enemy. Despite men falling wounded beside him he continued his charge, throwing grenades as he went. Arriving on the enemy position, he killed two enemy with his rifle and a third with his bayonet. His courageous action forced the surrender of the remainder. His was the culminating action in the Battalion successfully seizing its objective.
Major Kiszely, by his outstanding leadership and heroic example was an inspiration to his men. His bravery and courage under fire were of an exceptionally high order.
Lieutenant Robert Alasdair Davidson LAWRENCE (508365), Scots Guards.
On the night of 13th/14th June, on the Island of East Falkland, the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards attacked well entrenched positions on the craggy ridge feature of Tumbledown Mountain, seven kilometres to the west of Port Stanley. Lieutenant Lawrence and his Platoon were amongst leading elements in the assault.
As they came up to an area of prominent rocky crags they came under intense fire from an enemy machine gun position. Lieutenant Lawrence, to the fore throughout, immediately led an attack. Throwing grenades onto the enemy's position as he went, he continued in the heat of the fire fight to exhort his Platoon to follow him in the assault. His attacking group destroyed the enemy.
Firm on that position, he gathered up a handful of his men and began to work his way along the ridge to engage an enemy sniper. As they closed and just before he could attack, Lieutenant Lawrence was severely wounded.
His actions were an outstanding example of leadership under fire and courage in the face of the enemy.
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the Posthumous award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the undermentionedin recognition of distinguished conduct and bravery during the operations in the South Atlantic:
Distinguished Conduct Medal
24549305 Guardsman James Boyle Curran REYNOLDS, Scots Guards.On the night of 13th/14th June 1982, on the Island of East Falkland, the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards attacked well entrenched enemy positions on the craggy ridge feature of Tumbledown Mountain, seven kilometres to the west of Port Stanley.
During the attack, Guardsman Reynolds' Platoon came under fire from a group of enemy snipers. His Platoon Sergeant was killed instantly. A confused situation developed and his Section became separated. Guardsman Reynolds immediately took command. Having located the enemy snipers he silenced several of them himself.
That done and showing a complete disregard for his own safety, he moved forward to render first aid to a wounded comrade. He himself was wounded in the hand by enemy sniper fire, but continued to aid his colleague. Whilst doing so, he was killed by enemy mortar fire.
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the undermentioned in recognition of distinguished conduct and bravery during the operations in the South Atlantic:
Distinguished Conduct Medal
23867615 Warrant Officer Class 2 William NICOL, Scots Guards.
WO2 Nicol was the CSM of Left Flank, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards throughout the campaign in the Falkland Islands. During this time he maintained exemplary standards of personal courage and leadership which inspired similar standards in all members of his company. Three particular occasions stand out:
On 6th June, after a 6 hour sea voyage at night in open boats in which most men were completely soaked, the Battalion was ordered to occupy defensive positions on high ground in freezing rain and sleet. Due to CSM Nicol's efforts, although a number of exposure casualties were taken in other companies, none occurred in Left Flank.
On 8th June some 12 enemy aircraft involved in an attack on shipping at Fitzroy flew in three sorties at low level over the Company's position at Bluff Cove. No warning of the enemy aircraft was received but, despite this CSM Nicol so rapidly and skilfully organised and controlled his company in firing rifles and machine guns, moving from sangar to sangar with no thought for his own safety, that 2 or 3 enemy aircraft were brought down by the Battalion.
On 14th June at Tumbledown Mountain, his company were ordered to take a strong enemy position as part of a Battalion night attack.
After the initial assault, the company came under constant and devastating machine gun and sniper fire. One of the platoon sergeants was wounded, and CSM Nicol went forward under accurate sniper fire to rescue him. Wounded in the hand while doing so, he continued to tend the dying sergeant.
He remained cool and calm under heavy fire encouraging and exhorting his men and, at the same time, advising one of the young platoon commanders how to defeat a seemingly impregnable enemy position.
He remained unperturbed by the weight of enemy small arms, artillery and mortar fire thus instilling great confidence in men who might well have been frightened. He refused to be evacuated himself, until all the other casualties in the company (26 in all) had been evacuated. CSM Nicol's distinguished conduct and conspicuous personal bravery throughout the campaign and in particular on the three occasions described proved an inspiration and example to all ranks and have made an outstanding contribution to his company's exceptional achievements.
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Military Medal to the undermentioned in recognition of bravery during the operations in the South Atlantic:
Military Medal
24185654 Sergeant Robert White JACKSON, Scots Guards.On the night of 13th/14th June 1982, on the Island of East Falkland, the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards attacked well entrenched enemy positions on the craggy ridge feature of Tumbledown Mountain, seven kilometres to the West of Port Stanley.
During the assault, leading elements came under intense enemy machine gun fire which was preventing any further advance. Sergeant Jackson reacted instantly: discarding his rifle and armed only with grenades, he clambered forward under fire over wet and slippery rocks towards the foot of the enemy's position forty metres away. Having climbed fully fifteen metres up into the rocky crags, single handed he attacked and destroyed the enemy's position with his grenades.
Sergeant Jackson showed outstanding courage under fire in the face of the enemy.
24408498 Guardsman Andrew Samuel PENGELLY, Scots Guards.
On the night of 13th/14th June 1982, on the Island of East Falkland, the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards were attacking well entrenched enemy positions on the craggy ridge feature of Tumbledown Mountain, seven kilometres to the West of Port Stanley.
During the assault, leading elements came under fire from a sniper hidden high up in nearby rocky crags. Guardsman Pengelly reacted immediately: abandoning his machine gun and armed with grenades, he climbed up the wet and slippery rocks toward the enemy position. Reaching the top, he hurled a grenade and killed the sniper. As he threw the grenade he was hit and badly wounded by enemy mortar fire. His courageous action was a significant
individual contribution of a high order to the success of the battle.
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the following names of those Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the operations in the South Atlantic:
Mentioned in Despatches
Major The Honourable Richard Nicholas BETHEL M.B.t. (490483), Scots Guards.
24587118 Guardsman Gary BROWN, Scots Guards.
Captain Ian Anderson BRYDEN (498672), Scots Guards.
24327863 Lance Sergeant Alan Charles Ewing DALGLEISH, Scots Guards.
24164306 Lance Sergeant Ian DAVIDSON, Scots Guards.
24460571 Piper Steven William DUFFY, Scots Guards.
24460571 Piper Steven William DUFFY, Scots Guards.
23954942 Lance Corporal Duncan MACCOLL, Scots Guards.
24498356 Piper Peter Alexander MACINNES, Scots Guards.
24438768 Lance Sergeant Thomas McGuiNNESS, Scots Guards.
Lieutenant Alasdair Macfarlane MITCHELL (508221), Scots Guards.
24185774 Lance Sergeant Clark MITCHELL, Scots Guards (Posthumous).
24355586 Lance Corporal Graham RENNIE, Scots Guards.
2nd Lieutenant James Douglas STUART (512691), Scots Guards.
24184308 Lance Corporal Gary TYTLER, Scots Guards.
To be Additional Members of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order:
MBE
Lieutenant (now Captain) Frederick James MOODY (511319), Scots Guards.
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