- SURNAME
Fairley
- FORENAME
William Watson
- UNIT
22 SAS
- RANK
Staff Sergeant
- NUMBER
22215929
- AWARD
- PLACE
Oman 1971/1972
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
recommended for MiD, but non-Gazetted and doesn't show awarded (WO 373/172/572)
CITATION:
Mention in Despatches : FAIRLEY has played an important part throughout 8 months of sustained operations in Dhofar. During his first tour between July and December, 1971 he was in command of a major force of Arab guerrillas and a small British advisory team totalling some 100 men. During this period he was actively engaged with the enemy. On more than 50 separate occasions he became personally involved in contacts with an aggressive and determined enemy. His sustained leadership and personal bravery proved a tonic to the Firqat and an inspiration to his own men, resulting in many minor tactical successes throughout the period.
During a second tour from July to November, 1972 he acted as Squadron Operations Officer and took on responsibility for the control and administration of some thousand men deployed throughout Eastern Dhofar. This was a demanding and exacting task which required him to be on duty 24 hours a day. On several occasions he had to make important tactical decisions far beyond the level normally required of his rank. His duties involved him in dealing with local civil and military organisations and his tact and cheerfulness earned him the respect and co-operation of all parties throughout these dealings.
FAIRLEY's performance throughout his 2 tours in Oman have proved an inspiration to all ranks and has established him as a man with ability far beyond that normally expected from his rank.
Place : Oman
Date of Action : July to December 1971 + July to December 1972
How Employed : Detachment Commander
During a second tour from July to November, 1972 he acted as Squadron Operations Officer and took on responsibility for the control and administration of some thousand men deployed throughout Eastern Dhofar. This was a demanding and exacting task which required him to be on duty 24 hours a day. On several occasions he had to make important tactical decisions far beyond the level normally required of his rank. His duties involved him in dealing with local civil and military organisations and his tact and cheerfulness earned him the respect and co-operation of all parties throughout these dealings.
FAIRLEY's performance throughout his 2 tours in Oman have proved an inspiration to all ranks and has established him as a man with ability far beyond that normally expected from his rank.
Place : Oman
Date of Action : July to December 1971 + July to December 1972
How Employed : Detachment Commander
WEB LINKS:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7488109https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7631419
NATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7488109https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7631419
