Beschreibung:

A well-documented post-War ‘Malaya Emergency’ M.M. group of three awarded to Regimental Sergeant Major C. Helmn, Green Howards, a member of the Anti-Tank Platoon of Support Company, and a skilful jungle tracker and marksman, for gallantry and leadership during a series of fire-fights, in the course of which he personally killed four Communist terrorists Military Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (22547325 A/Cpl. C. Helmn. Green Howards.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (22547235 Pte. C. Helmn. Green Howards.) officially re-impressed naming; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (22547325 W.O. Cl.1. C. Helmn. M.M. Green Howards.) edge bruise to MM, and light contact marks to first two, good very fine and better (3) £3,000-£4,000 Footnote M.M. London Gazette 28 April 1953. The original Recommendation states: ‘Corporal Helmn is a young N.C.O. who has consistently displayed initiative and skill and determination to make contact with the enemy. On 17 April he was ordered to deploy his section in an ambush position in the Tampin area. After a wait of 48 hours a terrorist entered the ambush and was personally killed by Corporal Helmn. On 21 May he killed one of the two terrorists destroyed by his platoon in the Tampin area. On 18 August Corporal Helmn’s section formed part of a platoon ambush in the Tapah area. In due course three armed terrorists approached his position. He waited with great coolness until they were at point blank range when he personally killed two of them. The third attempted to escape but was severely wounded by the cross fire of his section and the remainder of the platoon, and was captured. On 29 Sep and 3 Oct Corporal Helmn was present with patrols which made contact with small parties of terrorists resulting in one being killed on each occasion. This N.C.O.’s outstanding enthusiasm and leadership has been largely responsible for the several successful operations in which his section has been concerned. He has always shown a complete disregard for his own personal safety and invariably worked in the forefront of any operations in which he has taken part. In the period covered by this citation he has personally killed four Communist terrorists.’ Colin ‘Charlie’ Helmn was born at Morecombe, Lancashire, on 30 August 1930. The Wartime National Service (Armed Forces) Act of 1939 had already lapsed when he turned 18. From 1 January 1949 peacetime conscription was introduced for the first time ever in Britain, but as Helmn was a farm worker he was exempt from National Service. However, Helmn decided to join the Regular Army, enlisting at Preston for five years service from 3 January 1951. His decision was probably influenced by the British involvement in the Korean War, which had been steadily ramping up since August 1950. He immediately opted to join the Green Howards, and was sent to the Yorkshire and Northumberland Brigade Training Centre at Strensall near York for basic training. After five months, Helmn was sent out to Malaya and was taken on the strength of 1st Battalion Green Howards on 7 July 1951. It was here that he acquired the nickname ‘Charlie’; “It started when someone saw the initial ‘C’ on my trunk when I arrived in Malaya, guessed my name might be Charlie and then it just stuck. However, I sometimes joke it also reflects what hunting folk call the fox.” Helmn’s skills as a soldier and a leader quickly stood out and were recognised by his officers. By 1 January 1952 Helmn was appointed Lance Corporal and shortly afterwards was put in charge of a section composed entirely of young Regular soldiers (no conscripts) from Support Company. As his Company Commander (who wrote the history of the Green Howards tour in Malaya) noted, ‘this was in the nature of an experiment.’ Most of Helmn’s section had never been in action before. Support Company had an active and energetic commander, who initiated several tactical experiments; he was ably seconded by the Battalion Intelligence Officer,