Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1944 Burma operations M.M. group of five awarded to A.O.P. Carrier driver, Lance Bombardier J. King, 9th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, for repeatedly using his armoured carrier to aid others during attacks, including using it as a shield for stranded infantry against heavy enemy shelling and machine gun fire

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (967367 L. Bmbr. J. King. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for wear, generally very fine or better (5) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards for Burma Operations during the Second World War.

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M.M. London Gazette 28 June 1945:

‘Throughout the campaign in the Kabaw Valley and Bishenpur area from March to July 1944 L/Bdr King was quite outstanding for his personal bravery and skill in the handling of his armoured O.P. In particular when 20th Field Battery, R.A. position at Puttha was attacked on the night 15/16 Mar L/Bdr King drove his armoured O.P. out of the perimeter under heavy fire to take replenishments of ammunition to an isolated company, and brought back their wounded. Again on 20th May he took his O.P. party from Bishenpur gun box to the relief of HQ 17 Lt Ind Div. He came under heavy shell fire, and casualties were caused amongst the marching infantry. Instead of driving on to safety L/Bdr King with great presence of mind stopped his armoured O.P. in such a position as to act as a shield to the remaining infantry until such time as they had been able to move their wounded to safety, and he himself was ordered out of the danger area.

His coolness, quick appreciation as how best to help others, knowing full well his armoured O.P. was bound to draw fire, showed great courage and a complete disregard for his own safety, and was an inspiring example to all around him.’

Sold with named Buckingham Palace M.M. enclosure; Second War Campaign Medal enclosure; letter of congratulation from Brigadier L. C. Manners-Smith to recipient on the occasion of the award of his M.M., dated 31 May 1945, and another letter to the same effect, dated 27 June 1945.