Lapraik, John Neilson "Ian"

Date of birth:: September 13th, 1915 (Boroughmuirhead district/Edinburgh City, Scotland)
Date of death:: March 15th, 1985 (Chiltern and Beaconsfield/Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom)
Nationality:: British

Biography

Military career:
2nd Lt. 25.05.1940 [132519]
WS/Lt. 23.06.1941
A/Capt. ?
T/Capt. 23.06.1941-(04.1944)
WS/Capt. 23.08.1943
local Maj. 01.10.1943-(04.1944)
T/Maj. 06.04.1944-(04.1946)
Maj. 13.09.1949, seniority 20.01.1948
local Lt.Col. ?
A/Lt.Col.10.06.1952-12.09.1953
Lt.Col. 13.09.1953, seniority 10.06.1952
Bt. Col. 10.05.1956

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Military Cross (MC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Captain
Unit:: No. 51 Commando, Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government
Awarded on:: August 19th, 1941

“On May 1st the 51st Middle East Commando was ordered to capture Commando Hill. Captain Lapraik went first during the climb, he was the first man to gain a footing on the top and by at once engaging the enemy with his revolver enabled the unit to gain a first footing over the shelf of rock at the summit, which they were subsequently enabled to exploit.
On May 3rd during an attack on the Falaga Pass he showed the greatest dash and daring in seizing a position with his troop remaining there under heavy fire until ordered to retire. He has shown consistent courage and leadership both during the battle of Amba Alagi and at Cheren.”

Received at Buckingham Palace, 12th March 1946.

Order of Menelik II - Member

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Major
Unit:: No. 51 Commando, Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government
Awarded on:: 1941

Military Cross (MC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Captain
Unit:: Special Boat Service (SBS), Special Air Service (SAS), Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government
Awarded on:: February 3rd, 1944
Awarded for:: Operation Tenement

"Capt LAPRAIK has shown outstanding initiative and power of command throughout the course of the operations in the AEGEAN. He occupied the island of SIMI with his detachment of SBS and immediately put into RHODES patrols of SBS which have gained very valuable information. With his detachment of SBS and a few RAF details he rallied and reorganised the Italian garrison at SIMI, and successfully resisted a German landing inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy and taking prisoners. His work throughout the operation has been of the highest order."

Second MC received as bar at Buckingham Palace 12th March 1946.