WILLIAM NICOL - DCM

WO2 Nicol was the CSM of Left Flank, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards throughout the campaign in the Falkland Islands. During the whole of 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 6 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. Although a number of exposure casualties were taken in other companies, none occurred in Left Flank. This was due to CSM Nicol's tireless efforts in controlling and encouraging his company throughout the night, despite the appaling weather and the fact that he himself was almost at the point of exhaustion.

On 8 June some 12 enemy aircraft involved in the attack on shipping at Fitzroy flew in three sorties at lowlevel over the comapny'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.

Finally, at Tumbledown Mountain on 14 June 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 subsequently died, and CSM Nicol went forward under 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 fire, artillery and mortar fire thus installing great confidence in men who might well have been frightened. He refused to be evacuated himself, although the pain must have been intense until all other casualties in the company (26 in all) had been evacuated. CSM Nicol's distinguished conduct and conspicious personal bravery throughout the campaign in particular on the three occasions described above have proved an inspiration and example to all ranks and have made an outstanding contribution to his comapny's exceptional achievements

JAMES BOYLE CURRAN REYNOLDS - DCM (Postumous)

On the night of 13/14 June 1982, on the Island of East Falkland, the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards attacked well entrenched enemy positions on the craggy ridge 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 seperated. Guardsmen 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.

For his leadership and courage under fire; also his unselfish regard for his wounded comrade, Guardsman REYNOLDS is strongly recommended for the postumous award of a Distinguished Conduct Medal.

National Archives

I have recently been helping Bruce Kilshaw (the archivist for the Tumbledown Veterans Association) with collecting some material for his archives. In the process he has been extremely kind and generous to give me copies of some of the documents he has from the National Archives.

So watch this space for details of all the citations for the medals and mention in dispatches for 2SG.

Recently gave a talk at Swedish MOD

Every year I attend a church service here in Stockholm that celebrates Santa Lucia. It's a very atmospheric and traditional service that I make every effort to attend.

So why do I mention this? Well this year when I left I bumped into an old colleague from my days at IBM and EHPT who it turns out now works at the Swedish MOD (Försvarets materielverk). After catching up he mentioned that he was about to go on holiday to the Falkland Islands. So I couldn't resist mentioning that I had served there during the war.

This led to an invite to come and talk at his office to a small group of friends who were coming with him to the Falklands. Meantime he had mentioned to his boss, one of the few generals in the Swedish Army, and he would like me to come back and talk to his department of about 120 officers later this year :)

So watch this space