Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World war ‘Burma’ D.S.O. group of five awarded to Colonel J. B. Roberton, 5th Burma Rifles, attached Corps of Indian Engineers, Commanding Inland Water Transport Operating Group

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., reverse of the lower suspension officially dated 1943, with case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, all unnamed as issued, together with his khaki uniform tunic, this with medal ribbons and G.V.R. Royal Engineers buttons, with name tag inside front pocket flap, nearly extremely fine (6) £450-550

D.S.O. London Gazette 19 August 1943. The following details are taken from the official recommendation: ‘Lt-Col Robertos was in command of a party of personnel from Sirmoor Fuentes D’Onor. Coy. and 143 S.S. Coy., 6 Inf. Bde. which proceeded to Maung Daw on the night of 16/17 May 1943, in a ‘Eureka’ craft. The tasks of this party were to recover certain folding boat equipment and to kill any Japanese encountered. As Commanding Officer of the I.W.T. Operating Group there was no necessity for Lt-Col Roberton to take on this task personally. In view of the fact that he had greater experience in the handling of ‘Eureka’ craft and a wider knowledge of the Maung Daw creek than any other member of his unit, however, he volunteered to lead the party and was permitted to do so.

Owing to the ‘Eureka’ in which the party travelled being hit and disabled by the enemy, the first task was not achieved, but the party succeeded in killing 18 of the enemy.

Lt-Col Roberton succeeded in getting the ‘Eureka’ alongside ‘Manchester’ (an unservicable barge) under fire and dropped anchor. Some of the folding boat equipment was collected and after tow ropes had been made fast to the ‘Eureka’ the latter got under way. Almost immediately the ‘Eureka’ came under heavy fire which became more intense as the ‘Eureka’ slipped down the stream into the creek. The tow ropes linking the folding boat equipment to the ‘Eureka’ parted and Lt-Col Roberton manoeuvred the latter to permit of the tow ropes being made fast again. At this stage the steering gear of the ‘Eureka’ was hit and the tow ropes again parted and Lt-Col Roberton endeavoured to manoeuvre the ‘Eureka’ into mid-stream in order to collect personnel of the shore party who by then were swimming in the water. The engine of the ‘Eureka’ was twice hit by enemy mortar fire and Lt-Col Roberton decided to abandon the craft which was by then quite useless.

Subsequently Lt-Col Roberton collected and led nine men of the party across to Kanyin creek where he embarked them in a sampan and brought them to safety across the Naf river to Teknaf.

Throughout the operation Lt-Col Roberton displayed leadership of a very high order and his personal determination, gallantry and coolness under heavy fire and under the most difficult circumstances were an inspiration to all who took part in the operation.’

Sold with further research including original correspondence from the recipient.