Our 'Jock' - Keeping Guard

The colour photograph was taken on Sunday, 8th June 2008 during our 35th Anniversary of Graduation Reunion (7th and 8th June 2008) at Portsea. The black and white photograph was taken during our year at OCS

2nd BATTALION THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT HONOURS AND AWARDS (1997) pg. 29 (c) 2RAR

2/10667 Lance Corporal Robert RICHARDSON MM (incorrectly recorded as 2/10657)

Date applicable to Citation: 1 Jan 53 to 30 Jun 53

Place: Korea

Pte Richardson has acted as rifle section commander and 2ic of a section throughout the period, and during May and Jun 53, while his company was in the line, has taken part with exceptional courage and enthusiasm in many patrols of all types.

On the night of 23/24 May 53 he particularly distinguished himself when commanding a section in an ambush patrol on DURHAM RIDGE in from of Pt 159.

Shortly after taking up its position the patrol was engaged by an enemy force over twenty strong. During the fierce close quarter fight that followed the patrol leader and four members, out of a total thirteen were wounded. Realising the situation, Pte RICHARDSON without hesitation took command of the patrol and withdrew it, taking the wounded with him. Though the enemy closely followed up the withdrawal Pte RICHARDSON so skilfully controlled the fire and movement of the few unwounded members of the patrol that the enemy were prevented from overrunning it. It was later definitely established that six enemy were killed in this engagement.

The high degree of leadership, initiative and determination that Pte RICHARDSON displayed throughout this action were typical of the qualities he had shown on many other occasions in contact with the enemy, qualities which have gained him the admiration and respect of all ranks who have served with him.