Terry, Lionel John (Private, b.1930 - d.1953)

Collection relating to the Korean war service of 3/400376 Private Lionel John 'Bomber' Terry, 3RAR. On the night of 24-25 January 1953 Pte Terry was a member of a patrol which moved from Hill 355 into enemy territory to raid a Chinese standing patrol and capture a prisoner. During the battle which ensued Pte Terry was wounded but later led a charge against an attack from the rear. He was last seen fighting a group to 20 Chinese soldiers. Pte Terry's body was never recovered and he is regarded as missing presumed dead on 25 January 1953. In June 1955 he was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches (MID) for 'devotion to duty and personal sacrifice'. The collection consists of: the last letter written home by Pte Terry to his sister Louise, dated 17 December 1952; a letter written by Company Commander Major J W Norrie to Pte Terry's father confirming his son was missing in action, dated 17 February 1953; a letter written by Peter Cook to his mother describing the action involving Pte Terry; two newsclippings, a telegram, a certificate and a letter all relating to Pte Terry's award of MID, plus a commemorative scroll; six letters written to Pte Terry's sister by Cliff 'Snow' Gale, Jim Bridges, Bruce Horgan (dated March 1999), and Peter Ireland, all regarding Pte Terry, plus one photograph of a plaque referred to in one of the letters.