Orders, Decorations and Medals

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., reverse of the lower suspension dated 1943, mounted in an old glazed display case by Spink & Son, Medallists to H.M. The King, with ivory label inscribed ‘Lt. Col. L. G. Wheeler, The Burma Rifles, killed in action 4th April 1943’, extremely fine £400-500

Lieutenant-Colonel Lyndon Grier Wheeler commanded 2nd Burma Rifles in Wingate’s 1st Chindit Expedition. He was killed in a skirmish in a little village called Zibyugon in Burma on 4 April 1943, as recounted in their report: ‘The enemy garrison was soon cleared from the village and confused fighting in the jungle followed. Lieut Duncan Menzies and one British Other Rank were found in the village bound with strong rope. Their faces and heads had been shaved and Jap helmets put on their heads. Before withdrawing from the village the enemy shot them. The BOR was dead and Lieut Menzies dying of a severe stomach wound. He showed great bravery and in spite of great pain was able to give information of Jap movements and of a party of 5 column. Lt-Col Wheeler gave him morphia to put him out of his suffering. Burma Rifles HQ Group were on the point of withdrawing further to the hills, when a stray Jap bullet hit Lt-Col Wheeler in the head and penetrated his brain.’

Lieut-Colonel P. C. Buchanan, M.C., wrote later: ‘I was L. G. Wheelers’ Adjutant and was a few feet from him when he was hit and killed. His D.S.O. was awarded for the distinguished part he played in this the first Wingate operation.’

From another source, ‘Wingates Phantom Army’: ‘So in this tiny village of Zibyugon, not even marked on a map, died 2 of the finest men in the Wingate Force. Wheeler was 43 years of age, the oldest man in the expedition but with tons of energy and a great sense of humour. He had spent over 20 years in Burma and was well fitted to lead the Burma Rifles. Before the Pacifiuc War started he had been in charge of the Defence Bureau in Rangoon, but he fought right through the Burma campaign. He spoke Burmese, Karen and Kachin fluently and had great prestige throughout the Kachin Hills. Buchanan, who travelled through these hills afterwards, found the news of Wheeler’s death had preceeded him. He was mourned by the Kachins as a friend and great leader.’

Sold with some further details including correspondence with officers who had served with Wheeler.