General Service Medal 1918–62 (Cyprus Clasp) - Private J. M. Crossley, Royal Army Pay Corps
23561323 PTE. J. M. CROSSLEY. R.A.P.C.
A British General Service Medal 1918–62 with CYPRUS clasp, awarded to Private J. M. Crossley of the Royal Army Pay Corps.
The Cyprus clasp was awarded for qualifying service during the internal security operations conducted between 1 April 1955 and 18 April 1959, a period marked by a sustained guerrilla campaign carried out by the EOKA organisation, which sought union of Cyprus with Greece (“Enosis”). The conflict required the deployment of approximately 40,000 British troops over four years and involved widespread counter-terrorist and internal security duties across the island. The clasp was awarded to members of the British Armed Forces and eligible civil personnel, including the Cyprus Police Force, who completed 120 days’ service during the qualifying period.
Private Crossley served with the Royal Army Pay Corps, a corps essential to the functioning of British forces overseas, responsible for pay, accounting, and financial administration in operational theatres. The medal is accompanied by a digital copy of a period group photograph, supplied by the previous owner, showing him with fellow soldiers at the RAPC Training Centre, 23 Platoon, 232 Intake, B Company, dated June 1958, in which Private Crossley is identified. This provides an excellent personal link to his service and adds notable contextual value to the medal.
Please note I do not have the physical photograph shown in the images, just a digital copy. The previous owner did not wish to part with the photograph.
AJMS Medals