Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Lance-Bombardier D. C. Mason, Royal Artillery and No.5 Commando, killed in action in the Arakan, 31 January 1945

1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, unnamed as issued, extremely fine (4) £90-110

Lance-Bombardier Dennis Cook Mason, Royal Artillery and No.5 Commando, was killed in action on 31 January 1945, aged 26 years. On 22 January 1945 3 Commando Brigade (Nos.1 and 5 Commando and 42 and 44 R.M. Commando) took part in an amphibious assault on the Arakan coast near the village of Kangaw. They were to capture the village and adjacent hill (Hill 170) in order to cut the line of retreat of the Japanese. No.5 Commando was to support No.1 in the capture of Hill 170. They were successful and dug themselves in, being constantly attacked and shelled. In the two bloodstained days it had taken to capture the hill, the brigade lost 45 men killed and 90 wounded. Mason was buried in the Taukkyan War Cemetery, Burma. He was the son of Frederick John and Alice Mason of Dunkirk, Nottingham. Sold with named (‘L/Bdr. D. C. Mason’) condolence slip, cloth ‘No.5 Commando’ shoulder flash and copied research.