Description
General Service Medal 1918, bar Brunei, General Service Medal 1962, bar Borneo, 23786692 Rifleman C. Coston, 1st Green Jackets.
GSM Brunei officially impressed: “23786692 Rfn C.J.E. Coston. 1 Green Jackets”
GSM Borneo officially impressed: “23786692 Rfn C. Coston. 1 Green Jackets”
A scarce pair earning 2 clasps in a row, being the last clasp of the original GSM and the first of the new one.
The 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) was a short lived infantry regiment that existed between 1958 and 1966,
formed from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.
Based on his initials he should be Christopher J.E. Coston, born in Winchester, Hampshire during October 1943
His service number would likely correspond to enlistment circa 1958-60, lining up with him being about 17-18 years old at the time.
In April 1962, the 1st Green Jackets sailed from Southampton for Penang on the troopship SS Nevasa. at the time this would be the first unit to be posted to the Far East without any National Servicemen, as conscription had just ended in 1961.
Once they got there they took part in Jungle Warfare training and small exercises, but only a few months later their services were needed.
On the 9th December 1962, the 1st Green Jackets were mobilised for active service and deployed to Brunei following the Indonesian backed uprising.
Being led by Lt Colonel Tod Sweeney, the regiment was a gallant bunch, both Tod Sweeney and 2nd in Command Major David Wood, were Horsa Glider men who took part in the fight over Pegasus Bridge in WW2.
An article on their services with photographs can be read below, from the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum:
https://www.sofo.org.uk/collection/collection-brunei-revolt-1962-63/
