- SURNAME
Cardy
- FORENAME
Lindsey
- UNIT
- RANK
Trooper
- NUMBER
24080913
- AWARD
Mention in Despatches
- PLACE
Dhofar 1976
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Royal Anglian Regiment (Private)
London Gazette 47031, 4th October 1976, Page 13449
CITATION:
Mention in Despatches : Tpr Cardy, was a member of an SAS Squadron controlling irregular Arab troops in support of the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) from September 1974 to January 1975. On 6 January 1975 he was the radio operator of a SAS 4 man liaison patrol attached to a company taking part in a SAF battalion attack in Western Dhofar. As the company with which he was operating was moving across open ground it came under withering fire from 60 to 70 enemy in prepared positions firing heavy and medium machine guns, mortars and rocket launchers. The fire destroyed the leading platoon, killing the company commander and severely wounding the Forward Observation Officer.
The weight of fire was such that some of the SAF soldiers panicked and ran back leaving the SAS patrol dangerously exposed. Tpr Cardy remained calm and unflustered. On orders from his patrol commander he brought down accurate mortar fire on to the enemy. His cool instructions, corrections and accurate reporting had a stabilising effect on all those who heard him and enabled an appreciation to be made at battalion headquarters of the situation up front. Without heed to his personal safety he exposed himself continually in order to be able to see where the fire was going. Besides operating the radio be returned fire with his rifle although pinned down by accurate enemy fire. During the fighting withdrawal of his patrol across the open country he continued to bring accurate and punishing mortar fire on to the enemy so enabling not only his own patrol to withdraw but also the many SAF soldiers caught in the killing zone.
Once in the comparative safety of the main fire position he volunteered to go forward on 3 separate occasions under enemy sniper fire, each time returning with a wounded man.
The gallantry and steadiness of this young soldier was an example to all who saw him. His coolness and accuracy in directing return fire when himself under very heavy fire without doubt saved the lives of many of his comrades. It was a remarkable display of sang-froid and determination.
Place : Dhofar
Date of Action : 6 Jan 75
How Employed : Trooper GD
The weight of fire was such that some of the SAF soldiers panicked and ran back leaving the SAS patrol dangerously exposed. Tpr Cardy remained calm and unflustered. On orders from his patrol commander he brought down accurate mortar fire on to the enemy. His cool instructions, corrections and accurate reporting had a stabilising effect on all those who heard him and enabled an appreciation to be made at battalion headquarters of the situation up front. Without heed to his personal safety he exposed himself continually in order to be able to see where the fire was going. Besides operating the radio be returned fire with his rifle although pinned down by accurate enemy fire. During the fighting withdrawal of his patrol across the open country he continued to bring accurate and punishing mortar fire on to the enemy so enabling not only his own patrol to withdraw but also the many SAF soldiers caught in the killing zone.
Once in the comparative safety of the main fire position he volunteered to go forward on 3 separate occasions under enemy sniper fire, each time returning with a wounded man.
The gallantry and steadiness of this young soldier was an example to all who saw him. His coolness and accuracy in directing return fire when himself under very heavy fire without doubt saved the lives of many of his comrades. It was a remarkable display of sang-froid and determination.
Place : Dhofar
Date of Action : 6 Jan 75
How Employed : Trooper GD
WEB LINKS:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/47031/supplement/13449https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7488126
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7631436
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