Queens Gallantry Medal in case of issue awarded to PC J.M Br...

Hammer

£2,400

Queens Gallantry Medal in case of issue awarded to PC J.M Brough for the successful apprehension of Carstairs Hospital escapees Robert Francis Mone and Thomas Neil McCulloch on the 30th November 1976. The case is as follows:

Both convicted of murder Mone and McCulloch were admitted to Carstairs Hospital in South Lanarkshire. The pair formed a close bond and plotted their escape.
Over a period of six months, the two men managed to stash away axes, knives, fake identification and uniforms in preparation for their escape. Early one evening on November 30, 1976, they decided it was time to put their plan into action. They pounced first on nursing officer Neil MacLellan, 46, and then patient Ian Simpson, 40. Paint stripper was thrown in their faces to disable them. Both men fought for their lives even as they were being hacked to death. McCulloch repeatedly attacked Neil long after his victim was immobilised while Simpson was stabbed with a pitchfork by Mone. At one stage, as if he was seeking a trophy of his escapades, McCulloch sliced off Simpson's ears and put them in his pocket. The duo had also made a rope ladder and within minutes they had scaled the razor-wire high wall that surrounded the hospital.
Once free, Mone lay down on the road pretending to be hurt so they could flag down the first car that passed. They planned to kill the driver and take the car. As the driver got out to help, a passing police car stopped and pulled in. As soon as they stepped from their vehicle, Constables John Gillies and George Taylor were attacked with axes and cleavers. PC Gillies managed to escape and raise the alarm at a nearby house. PC Taylor was rushed to nearby Law Hospital but died a short time later. The two escapees stole the police van, which they crashed 10 miles away near Biggar. They tried to murder two men Jack McAlroy, and William Lennon, who stopped to help. McCulloch hacked at Jack McAlroy's head with an axe and Mone stabbed William Lennon six times. Somehow, both men survived. Both escapees drove off in Jack and William's van but abandoned it because they feared they were about to hit a police roadblock. Mone and McCulloch then walked to a nearby farm, where they threatened a family, before stealing their vehicle and continuing their journey south.
Crossing the border into England the pair were intercepted by two police cars, with PC Brough in the forward car. Through joint maneuvers the pair were forced off the road crashing their car at the Rosehill Roundabout Carlisle whereupon they were arrested by PC JM Brough along with three officers.

Together with the recipients personal dossier containing medal citations and newspaper articles this represents the most complete account of the incident offered for sale.