The Collection of Medals formed by Dr A W Stott

Five: Private H. Saunders, 4th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment
1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; War Medal; Efficiency Medal, Territorial, G.VI.R. (634898 Pte., R.W. Kent R.) very fine (5)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals Formed By Dr A W Stott.

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Private H. Saunders is confirmed in From Kent to Kohima as having served in ‘A’ Company, 4th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. The 4th Battalion was in action at El Alamein and was then transferred to Burma, arriving just in time to take part in the heroic defence of Kohima. The total strength of the Battalion when it moved into Kohima on the 5th of April 1944, was under 500 men. Of this force thirteen officers and two hundred and one other ranks were casualties. Almost the entire Japanese 31st Division had been employed against Kohima and, in the fourteen days of the siege, the defenders drove off twenty-five major attacks. During the battle the following awards were won by men of the 4th Royal West Kents: one Victoria Cross, three Military Crosses, three Distinguished Conduct Medals and six Military Medals.