Description
General Service Medal 1962, bar Northern Ireland, 24527927 Lance Corporal S.A. Smith, AAC, Army Air Corps.
Officially impressed: “24527927 L Cpl S A Smith AAC”
Service number corresponds to enlistment circa 1979-1980.
Scarce to this unit and in excellent condition
Provenance, ex DNW Noonans 15th December 2011.
During the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland aka “Operation Banner”, the Army Air Corps played an essential part, using their Helicopters they would allow for reconnaissance, troops transport and resupply in Northern Ireland.
Around the 1980s when he would have served, the AAC were using the new Lynx AH1 Helicopter, amongst others available such as the Westland Scout and Gazelle, you would think they were quite safe above, but the IRA had Soviet DShk 12.7mm heavy machine guns sneakily imported via Libya, which they used to good effect on nearby helicopters.
