Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A very fine Second World War ‘Arakan’ Immediate M.M. group of four awarded to Private S. G. Warren, 6th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who lost his left arm when wounded whilst attempting to recover a wounded comrade during an attack on the strongly held village of Thayegonbaung in May 1944

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (5391052 Pte. S. G. Warren. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal, light edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise very fine (4) £1000-1200

Provenance: J. B. Hayward & Son, February 1973.

M.M. London Gazette 27 July 1944: ‘5391052 Private Stanley George Warren, 6th Bn Oxf & Bucks Lt Infty.’ The original recommendation for an Immediate M.M. states:

‘Burma: Arakan. On 6 May 44 the sec of which Pte Warren was a member was assisting in clearing the heavily-wooded village of THAYEGONBAUNG, strongly held by the enemy. The leading man of the sec, Pte Vickery, was shot at close range by cross-fire from two L.M.Gs. As he fell, he shouted to the rest of the sec not to follow him. The sec, however, continued to advance until halted by heavy fire.

Pte Warren, the sec Bren Gunner, seeing Vickery unable to move, determined to rescue him. Handing his Bren Gun to his No. 2, he told him to cover him as best he could and dashed forward to his wounded comrade. He reached him safely and, finding him too heavy to move unaided, lay down beside him and shouted for assistance. When Pte May came forward, they picked Vickery up and between them began to carry him towards the sec. They were immediately fired on from a range of 15 yards. Vickery was killed and both Warren and May seriously wounded. Still under fire, they managed to crawl back to their sec.

Warren’s action, as a result of which he subsequently lost his left arm, was one of unrivalled courage and showed complete disregard of personal danger.’