Special Collections

Sold on 27 September 2017

1 part

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

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Lot

№ 468

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27 September 2017

Hammer Price:
£800

An ‘Immediate’ Second War 1945 Burma operations M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant W. Woods, 348 Field Battery, 136th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (902849 Bmbr. W. Woods. R.A.) space between 1st and 2nd letters of surname; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial (902849 Gnr. W. Woods. M.M. R.A.), mounted for wear, generally good very fine (6) £800-1200

Provenance: DNW, September 2007.

M.M.
London Gazette 20 September 1945:

‘At Singu on the East bank of the Irrawaddy, on 15 April 1945 Bdr Woods of 348 Bty, 136 Fd Regt R.A. was one of an Arty O.P. party which accompanied “B” Coy on their infiltration into Singu North on night 14/15 April 45. The Coy and attached troops had been attacked at dawn in the area of some Pagodas on the North East of the village and had been forced to seek cover within the perimeter provided by a small wall which encircled one of the Pagodas. In seeking immediate cover from the sudden attack the Arty party were obliged to leave some heavy equipment, including their “22” wireless set, outside the wall.

The Japanese were sniping continually and using grenade dischargers from the edge of the village some 50 yards away. The sniping which was exceedingly accurate killed and wounded several of the men who had been replying to the Jap fire. During a lull in the firing Bdr Woods asked for permission to scale the wall in full view of the Jap position, in order to recover the equipment which was lying on the other side. Bdr Woods leaped over the wall and in full view of the enemy position in the village succeeded in bringing in all the signal equipment belonging to the O.P. party, thus enabling fire to be brought down on the enemy.

By volunteering for and carrying out this act of gallantry Bdr Woods displayed the very highest courage and devotion to duty.’

William James Woods attested for the Royal Artillery (T.A.) in April 1939, and was posted to 87th Field Regiment R.A. In June 1939 he was posted to 136th Regiment R.A. He served with the unit in India and Burma, January 1943 - March 1946 and in December 1945 was appointed an Acting Sergeant.

Woods was released to the Army Reserve in June 1946, re-enlisting into the R.A. (T.A.) in 1953. He was posted to the 359th Medium Regiment, and was discharged at his own request on 11 October 1961. In later life he resided in California, U.S.A.

Sold with named enclosure for the M.M., several photographs, and an American Legion Membership Card.