Background:
The Sultan’s Bravery Medal (Midal Jura’at us-Sultan ul Battuli) was instituted by Sultan Said bin Taimur in January 1968 for brave and distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy. British forces seconded to the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces who were decorated with this award were granted unrestricted permission by the Queen to wear the medal.
Design:
The circular medal, measuring 37mm in diameter, is manufactured in gilt cupro-nickel. The obverse bears in the centre the Omani coat of arms, being a crowned pair of crossed Omani swords in scabbards, a sheathed Khunjar with belt attachments, the emblem having engraved inscriptions in Arabic above and below. The reverse bears a central Arabic inscription, “gallantry”, surrounded by a palm laurel wreath. The medal is suspended from a straight bar suspender. The multi-coloured ribbon has five vertical stripes of dark blue, red, green, yellow and light blue.
Bars:
Additional acts of bravery at the same level will be signified by the award of a bar worn across the ribbon.
On 27 April 1972 Captain Hodgson was in command of a troop of armoured cars in support of 3 Company, The Desert Regiment who were deployed south of Akoot. Between 1515 hours and 2000 hours both the armoured car troop and 3 Company came under heavy effective enemy machine gun and mortar fire, causing several casualties including the company commander. Although his armoured car had been damaged by enemy fire, Captain Hodgson organised the evacuation of the wounded, supervised the reorganisation of the half company who had lost its commander, controlled accurate air strikes and artillery fire, and at the same time commanded his troop. The gun fire from his troop caused numerous enemy casualties. After last light, Captain Hodgson covered the withdrawal of 3 Company, he himself remaining until the last to ensure that all were safely back in Akoot. Captain Hodgson’s armoured car was down to the last four rounds of machine gun ammunition and two rounds of HE from a full load at the end of the engagement. Throughout the engagement, Captain Hodgson showed considerable powers of leadership, disregard for his own safety and a calm and sensible appreciation of the situation. He undoubtedly remedied what could have been a nasty situation for 3 Company.”