Special Collections

Sold on 27 September 2017

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A Collection of Awards for Burma Operations during the Second World War

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Lot

№ 447

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27 September 2017

Hammer Price:
£1,300

A Second War Burma operations M.C. group of eight awarded to Subadar Chuni Lall, 2nd Punjab Regiment, for consistently leading his company with great success, including on the Tiddim Road and the Imphal to Kohima Road, accounting for at least an estimated 70 enemy casualties across several actions, and personally leading the final attack on the crest of the Modbung feature

Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated ‘1945’ and additionally engraved ‘24404 I.O. Sub. Chuni Lal [sic] MC’; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1935 (11954 Sepoy Chuni Lall. 2-2 Punjab R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S.E. Asia 1945-46 (24404 Subdr/ Chuni Lall 2 Punjab R.), mounted for wear, minor edge bruising, generally very fine (8) £800-1200

M.C. London Gazette 13 September 1945:

‘Assam - Burma Frontier. Period 16 Aug to 15 Nov 1944. On 12 Oct ‘44 Subadar Chuni Lall was commanding a detachment of his company on PT.5955, a very vital feature. At 0430 Hrs his position was attacked by at least two strong platoons supported by artillery, mortar and MMGs. This attack was repulsed with a known 20 and an estimated 60 casualties to the enemy. This was undoubtedly due to the leadership and ability of this VCO who not only directed with conspicuous success the artillery fire which prior to the enemy attack had not been available but by the organisation of his sub-unit fire plan defeated all enemy efforts to penetrate his position.

Again on a road block established by his company in the Tongzang area on 16 Sep ‘44, which accounted for 13 enemy dead, the success was due primarily to this Subadar who led the recce patrol which located the enemy infantry and gun positions.

The personal courage and initiative of this VCO during the operations on the Tiddim Rd were an inspiration to all under his command. Previously during the period of the operations for the opening of the Imphal - Kohima Rd this VCO on two occasions led his platoon with conspicuous success in the Kanglatongbi box area and as company 2/i/c personally led the final attack which resulted in the capture of the crest of the Modbung feature. The consistently inspiring conduct of this VCO combined with his tactical ability displayed over a very long period are worthy of marked recognition.’

Chuni Lall was a Dogra Rajput from the village of Jharoli in the Gurdasspore District of India. He enlisted in the Punjab Regiment in August 1931, and advanced to Jemadar in June 1942. Chuni Lall was made War Substantive Subadar in October 1946, having been awarded his M.C. for the period which incorporated the actions of Imphal, Kohima and Tiddim Road.