Description
Andrew Hepple was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Originally a coalminer, which as a reserved occupation exempted him from National Service, he was ‘sacked’ by the Pit Overseer (a common occurrence as it allowed the individual to enlist) in 1952, and was immediately called up to the 1st Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. After ten weeks basic training in Delhi Platoon, Wellesley Barracks, Halifax, he sailed for Hong Kong on the troopship Empire Fowey. The journey took nearly four weeks, stopping at Gibraltar, Port Said, Aden, Colombo, and Singapore. In Hong Kong as part of 14 Platoon he underwent further training before sailing to Japan on the troopship Empire Orwell in order to join the Commonwealth Division Battle School at Haramura Camp. After more training he eventually joined his Battalion serving on the front line in Korea. He was killed in action on 20 July 1953, and is buried in the U.N. Memorial Cemetery, Busan, Korea.
Sold together with a group photographic image featuring the recipient (back row, far left), and box of issue.
