Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Bolster Force, Arakan 1944’ Immediate M.M. group of five awarded to Private L. N. Wallington, 6th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (5374551 Pte L. N. Wallington. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) in its named card box of issue; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (5) £1,400-£1,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.

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M.M. London Gazette 4 January 1945.

The recommendation submitted by Major R. J. Northcote-Green (6 Oxf & Bucks) Commanding Bolster Force, states:

‘13/14 Sept 1944, Ponra Village, Maungdaw. On the night 13/14 Sept, the Bolster Force beech-head was heavily shelled - seventy five shells landing in the small area of the Camp. Pte Wallington was one of the two signallers manning the telephone to Force H.Q.
When the shelling started Pte Wallington was at the Cookhouse and at the first lull in the shelling went to the Command Post where he found that the L/Cpl Signaller and the only Officer had been killed by a direct hit.
Undaunted he set about mending the telephone line which had been cut in 8 places. This entailed working very near to the Petrol and Ammunition dumps which were on fire.
Communication being established he rang up Force H.Q. and gave information of the situation. He checked the wireless set and then did a great deal to control certain non-combatants who were in confusion as a result of the shelling. By his coolness and courage he did much to restore order, thus enabling the Officer, sent down to take over to carry out evacuation. This soldier set a fine example. But for his fine efficiency and courage during the shelling, some time might have elapsed before Force H.Q. could have gained vital information.’

Major R. J. Northcote-Green was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry on the same occasion.


Louis Norman Wallington was born on 26 September 1902, and was a chair maker by trade on enlistment. Sold with named Buckingham Palace enclosure letter and letter of congratulation from General W. J. Slim on Fourteenth Army headed paper (31 October 1944), together with the recipient’s Service and Pay Book.