Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War Burma operations M.C. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel D. A. Low, Royal Artillery, who was decorated in particular for his gallantry as a Forward Observation Officer during the crossing of the Irrawaddy in early 1945

Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1946’; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major D. A. Low, M.C., R.A.), mounted as worn, very fine or better (6) £1800-2200

M.C. London Gazette 17 January 1946.

The original recommendation states:

‘Throughout the period 16 February to 15 May 1945, Captain Low has commanded F Troop of 10 Field Regiment, R.A., and has many times been out as F.O.O. with the infantry.

His conduct throughout has been deserving of the highest praise and on many occasions his quick, accurate handling of his guns at his command has saved the infantry from casualties and has inflicted damage on the enemy.

In particular during the crossing of the River Irrawaddy on 24 February 1945, when Captain Low was F.O.O., and when the boat to which he was allotted was forced to return to the north bank owing to casualties, he first salved his O.P. equipment despite being under fire from Japanese light automatics and then obtained another boat and crossed in time to take over control of the guns and the group of O.Ps from a Battery Commander who had been wounded. He then put down a smoke screen which successfully blinded the enemy M.Gs and enabled the Reserve Battalion to cross.

Subsequently, during the advance on Kyauktalon, Captain Low was again out as F.O.O. When the Company, with which he was, was pinned to the ground by enemy machine-gun fire, he moved to a point closer to the enemy from which he could observe and brought down fire destroying one bunker and blinding the remainder, so saving casualties and greatly assisting the Company in this attack.

It is worthy of mention that Captain Low played a very active part throughout the operations to open the road to Imphal in April-June 1944, when his conduct was at all times deserving of the highest praise. I strongly recommend this officer for the periodical award of a Military Cross.’

Donald Alexander Low was born in Blackheath in June 1919 and was educated at Brighton College, where he was a scholar and excelled at sports. Subsequently studying for the legal profession, he was also a member of the H.A.C., and was commissioned in the Royal Artillery in June 1940.

He subsequently served with 10th Field Regiment, R.A., throughout the War in 2nd Division in India and, later, at the Battle of Kohima, mainly with 5th Brigade, a period of operations that led to frequent mention of him in his unit’s war diary. Thus his part in one patrol:

‘The presence, with this patrol, of Captain Low, was due to a report that there were enemy guns in the area and it was decided that a gunner should investigate in order to determine their type. He found the gunpits and empty shells cases of two 75mm. and one 37mm. gun but no trace of the guns. He also found a solitary Japanese whom he shot with a better sense of humour than direction in the seat of his pants, thereby accelerating considerably his departure.’

In fact, as one infantry officer later stated, ‘Donald was always up with our forward troops giving us, at the drop of hat, maximum accurate support from our guns. His cheerful and friendly disposition was always an excellent tonic and morale booster in times of trouble and stress.’

Here, then, the type of qualities that led to his M.C. for the crossing of the Irrawaddy in February 1945, when yet again he proved to be a Forward Observation Officer of the most forward variety. He was also mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 5 April 1945 refers).

Granted a permanent commission at the end of hostilities, Low graduated from both the Army and R.A.F. Staff Colleges, and served in Malta, Libya, and Cyprus, in which latter theatre of war, as a Major, he won a second “mention” (London Gazette 14 July 1959 refers).

Placed on the Retired List as a Lieutenant-Colonel in 1969, he settled in Cobham, Surrey, with his wife Anne, daughter of Brigadier Swinton, and, having pursued a second career as a stockbroker, died in June 1990; sold with several original photographs, wartime and later.