At the end of last year, we reported on the auction of the medals of John Phillips who was at the centre of the action when British ships came under attack from bombers during the Falklands Islands conflict.
Phillips and his partner Jim Prescott successfully defused a bomb on The Argonaut, but the following day were confronted with an unsolveable problem on The Antelope. All their attempts at removing the fuse failed and the bomb finally exploded.
| John Phillips is interviewed about his experience |
As he later recalled: "Jim [Prescott] was standing right next to me. We had a momentary glance at each other as if to say, 'Oops,' then I was flying through the air... I thought I was dead."
Phillips was seriously injured and lost an arm, whilst Prescott was killed on the spot. The image of the Antelope exploding was captured in all its might in a photograph and this became one of the iconic images of the conflict.
Bomb disposal expert Phillips's Distinguished Conduct Medal group sold for £120,000 - significantly more than its £80,000-100,000 estimate.
Now the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal awarded posthumously to Jim Prescott has gone up for sale too with the same listing. It is the only Conspicuous Gallantry Medal awarded during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II to a member of the army (the only two others were awarded to members of the navy and Australian Air Force) or posthumously.
 Jim Prescott Conspicuous Gallantry Medal group |
Lieutenant Colonel A. Howgate, Commanding 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD), sent a letter of condolence dated 26 May 1982 underlining the high regard Prescott was held in:
"There are really no words strong enough to describe the tragic loss of Jim on Sunday. I had only known him for a few months but was already aware that he was undoubtedly one of the best soldiers in the Regiment.
"Unfortunately he lost his life during his attempt to save others. As you know he and John Phillips had made one bomb safe in another ship thereby saving it and several lives..."
The auction take place in London on March 28.
 Rambahadur Limbu's signature on a list of Victoria Cross winners (Click to find out more....) |
Collectibles such as medals associated with heroic actions will always be treasured by collectors. For example, we're currently proud to own a list of recipients of the Victoria Cross which has been signed by VC winner Rambahadur Limbu.
