John Arthur Gordon Arnot

Awarded the Military Cross (London Gazette 13 December 1966) as a Major, 1st Battalion DLI.

"On 24th February 1966, Major Arnot was in command of a force of three platoons on the Kalimantan/Sarawak frontier. He deployed his force in an ambush on 25th February 1966. At 10.30 hours on 26th February, the ambush was sprung accounting for eleven of the enemy. In the ensuing action Major Arnot manoeuvred his company and directed the artillery fire with coolness and precision for two hours. When the action was broken off he conducted the withdrawal of the force with outstanding skill over a period of seven hours. The force always in danger of an enemy follow up and harried by mortar fire was hampered by carrying a dead man and the seriously wounded. Throughout, Major Arnot inspired his men by his complete command of the situation, his endurance, outstanding coolness and confidence in an operation that lasted for two days. This incident is but one example of his fine leadership and daring as a company commander. For five months he has commanded a forward base on the frontier. The sector of the front for which this base was responsible has been the most important and active in the Battalion's sector. Major Arnot has seldom had less than five platoons under his command. Not only has he directed the operations in his sector with imagination and drive, he has commanded his company in contact with the enemy with skill, coolness and resource."