LONDON.- The Remarkable ‘Afghanistan 2009’ Conspicuous Gallantry Cross Group of 5 awarded to Lance-Bombardier Steven Gadsby, 40th Regiment (The Lowland Gunners) Royal Artillery is to be auctioned on line by Morton & Eden in London on 29 November 2021.

The medal group which comprises the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, E.II.R., the Iraq Medal 2003-11, the United Nations Medal for Cyprus, the Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan and the silver Jubilee 2012 is estimated to fetch £100,000-120,000 (lot 1421).

On 9 May 2009, Lance-Bombardier Steven Gadsby, who was 24 at the time, was serving on attachment as a Gunner and Signaller with 7 Platoon, 1st Battalion, The Welsh Guards, when his unit came under heavy fire from Taliban insurgents during a routine foot patrol near Check Point Haji Alem in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Gadsby, part of the Welsh Guards’ Fire Support Team, was at first unable to call in air support to come to their aid due to the lack of a single replacement cable for his satellite communications device which had become damaged in action.

Almost completely surrounded by the enemy, with part of his unit taking refuge in a nearby walled compound and the remainder seeking cover in a nearby irrigation ditch, Gadsby was recommended for the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (C.G.C) for evacuating his Platoon Commander, Lieutenant Mark Evison, Welsh Guards, who had been mortally wounded.

A brigade-level heavyweight boxer and a ‘tremendously strong man’, Gadsby carried Lieutenant Evison through the length of a water filled-irrigation ditch and then, singlehandedly, across a completely exposed foot bridge, running through a ‘storm of bullets’, miraculously returning Lieutenant Evison to the safety of their compound.

Despite being physically exhausted, Gadsby then willingly risked his life for a second time, to assist a second wounded soldier from 7 Platoon who had been shot through both ankles. On both occasions Gadsby chose the quickest but far more dangerous route, which was completely exposed through concentrated enemy fire, in order to get his fellow soldiers to safety where they could receive immediate medical treatment.

Lance-Bombardier Gadsby was recommended for the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, Britain’s second highest decoration for combat gallantry after the Victoria Cross, by the Commanding Officer of the 1stBattalion, Welsh Guards, on 20 September 2009, with the award being formally announced in The London Gazette of 19 March 2010, reading ‘for gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1st April to 30th September 2009.’

Gadsby was invested with the C.G.C. by Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace on 2 June 2010. Her Majesty spent a minute or two speaking with Gadsby, making the comment that she ‘was proud of him for what he had done for his country’ as she pinned the decoration to his chest. She also delicately noted the sad loss of Lieutenant Evison, showing her personal and meticulous knowledge of the armed forces.

The dramatic events of Gadsby’s bravery in Helmand Province were later brought to light in the B.B.C. Documentary Series ‘Our War’ in the episode titled ‘The Lost Platoon’, which used live, ‘helmet camera’ footage taken throughout the patrol. Exceptionally, the film captured Gadsby in action during the very moments in which he earned his Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

David Kirk, Medal specialist said: “It is a real privilege for Morton & Eden to be offering this superb modern gallantry group in our forthcoming auction. The gallantry shown by Lance-Bombardier Gadsby was truly remarkable, as he knowingly and willingly risked his own life twice in quick succession, running exposed through ‘a storm of bullets’ in order to help save the lives of his friends and fellow soldiers. That these moments happened to be captured ‘live’ on camera in the heat of the battle, only serves to make it all the more inspiring, with a lasting record of his courage and bravery there for all to see.”

Steven Gadsby is now a civilian having left the Army in 2012. He intends to put the proceeds of the sale of his medals towards the purchase of a family home