A ‘Burma Operations’ D.C.M. awarded to Acting Serjeant James O’Neill, Seaforth Highlanders

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (2824426 A. Sjt., Seaforth.) mounted for wear on original investiture brooch bar; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed and mounted for wear, first with slight edge bruise, good very fine (5) £3500-4000

D.C.M. London Gazette 30 September 1943.

‘When in command of a patrol of two sections that suddenly encountered a company of Japs at Nampamaung S.F. 2628 on 20th April 1943, he coolly and skilfully conducted the withdrawal of his two sections, covering their movement with fire and delaying, and inflicting casualties on the Japs. One of his sections was thus enabled to withdraw southwards along the Chindwin and cross intact at Nanthanyit S.F. 2321, but he and the other section eventually had to swim the Chindwin (600 yds wide) at Taungbola (S.F. 2525) under fire. Despite covering fire from the other sections and from a patrol on the west bank, three were killed whilst swimming, one drowned and one missing. At least 20 Japs were killed in the engagement. His placing of his other section in a position whence it could withdraw intact whilst himself remaining at the point of danger to cover its withdrawal are in the best traditions of leadership’.

James O’Neill was a native of Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Awarded the D.C.M. for his leadership and bravery in action during the First Arakan Campaign. The award was presented to him by Louis Mountbatten, as Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command, on 8 February 1944. The Seaforth Highlanders were gazetted 19 D.C.M’s. for gallantry during the Second World War of which four were for Burma.