Rare Elizabeth II Military Medal sells for £4,500 in auction

Medal of 23935360 Acting Corporal R J Sanderson of the Lancashire Regiment

Lot 151 on 4th April 2013:
"Elizabeth II military medal awarded to 23935360 A/CPL R.J SANDERSON LAN R (PWV) with framed certificate from Rishton Urban District Council detailing said award. The certificate describes the act by which the medal was awarded:- "During the night of the 19th / 20th May 1967 Corporal Sanderson was in command of a patrol in the Al Mansura area of Sheikh Othman when he heard distant shots being fired which he correctly deduced were terrorist fire at the static post of the Al Mansura Detention Centre. At this time he was some distance from the detention centre and in an area he was not too familiar with, however despite the unfamiliarity of the ground and the darkness of the night he decided to deviate from his patrol route and with considerable speed and despatch moved into position in rear of the terrorist firing point. To ensure his ambush was in the correct position without making the enemy aware of his presence was extremely difficult and involved a certain amount of personal danger to himself in reconnaissance. Nevertheless he soon had his ambush positioned and was in time to see two men approach from the direction of the enemy firing point, quietly and skillfully he and his patrol lay low until the men were in the trap Corporal Sanderson then exposed himself and gave the normal and correct challenge, he was immediately fired upon by one of the men who turned and ran. Corporal Sanderson calmly and deliberately gave a fire order and one man was shot dead the other immediately surrendered. Corporal Sanderson`s actions and handling of his patrol undoubtedly eliminated two extremely dangerous terrorists in an area where one mistake may have resulted in a death or injury of innocent persons. To ensure he had the right men Coproral Sanderson deliberately exposed himself to them and their fire. For this skillful action and for his complete disregard for his personal safety both of which were necessary for the complete success of this operation Corporal Sanderson was awarded the Military Medal""