Description
General Service Medal, bar Northern Ireland, Rhodesia Medal 1980, Zimbabwe Independence Medal, 2445970 Lance Corporal M.L. Clark, Royal Signals. Very rare named Rhodesia 1980 medal.
A very rare trio for “Operation Agila”.
GSM officially impressed: “2445970 LCPL M L CLARK R SIGNALS”
Rhodesia 1980 officially impressed: “2445970 L CPL M L CLARK R SIGNALS”
Zimbabwe officially numbered on edge: “13096” Confirmed to be his.
With the original matching box of issue for Zimbabwe Independence Medal which matches the exact number to his name, the label reads: “24454970 SIG M L CLARK R SIGNALS 13096”
Medals all un-mounted and don’t appear to have been worn.
For those interested in an insight into the involvement of the Royal Signals with the Commonwealth Monitoring Force Mr K.H. Olds wrote an article titled “Operation Agila” published in the Journal of the Royal Signals, Vol XIV (Summer 1980) No 5, Page 183.
The Wire, Magazine of the Royal Signals for the year recalls:
NEWS FROM RHODESIA
In the middle of December, amid much publicity some 90 men from the Regiment flew to Rhodesia as part of the Commonwealth, Liaison. Advisory Monitoring Organisation, Rhodesia (CLAMOR).
The Force flew out in a strange assortment of VC1Os, Hercules and Galaxies and arrived to a welcoming committee of TV cameras and photographers from all Over the world. SSgt Georgeson managed to make the national
dailies just to outdo SSgt Cook who had earlier achieved a certain amount of fame in the local press.
Very soon after their arrival the radio detachments working in Salisbury headed by Cpl Deary and 'The Big Fella' Cpl Rees, and the Commcen contingent went back to school, the Morgan High School for Girls to be exact, now called HQ CMG or 'The Ceasefire Place' if you are an African taxi driver.
With military speed and efficiency the school was transformed into a recognisable headquarters. Linen rooms turned into radio rooms, dispensary into a cypher office and in matron's office now resides a very senior signals officer. Where once hung Mary's gymslip now hang ribbons of teleprinter tape. The garden is growing satellite dishes and dipoles (or are they washing lines?), and in the building bells are ringing is it Santa Claus a little late? no just lots and lots of telephones.
How was Christmas in Rhodesia? The following notice outside the COMMCEN read:
IMPORTANT AMENDMENT, Delete Christmas Day, Insert December 25th”
