GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
And of the action leading to Conetta’s wounds, the same source states:
‘On the morning of the 24th, the Royal Sussex prepared to attack Bridge chaung, with ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies advancing each side of
the road. ‘D’ Company were held up almost at the start line but ‘B’ Company, under Major Bobbie Cash, went right through and gained
their objective, Major Cash being severely wounded. ‘B’ Company themselves were now in deep trouble as the enemy had somehow
managed to establish bunkers between them and ‘C’ Company, who were following up behind in support. In spite of manful efforts by
‘A’ and ‘C’ to extricate them, it was the 26th before they were finally brought out of danger, having had no food or rest for forty-eight
hours.’
Conetta was presented with his M.M. by Major-General Frank Festing at a special ceremony held at Mahlainngon.
Sold with an original telegram from Conetta’s Battalion C.O., informing the recipient’s father of the award of his son’s M.M., together
with a portrait photograph, the recipient wearing a Lance-Corporal’s stripe and airborne “wings”.
1342
A fine Second World War Burma operations M.M. awarded to Acting Sergeant R. C. Wherry, South Wales Borderers,
who charged an enemy machine-gun post, killing three of the enemy and scattering the rest
MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R. (5440989 A. Sjt. R. C. Wherry, S. Wales Bord.), good very fine £1600-1800
M.M. London Gazette 19 April 1945. The original recommendation states:
‘From 9 November 1944, during the operations north of Pinwe, Lance-Corporal
Wherry’s battalion was the leading battalion in the Brigade. On 14 November
1944, the enemy launched a series of counter-attacks upon the Battalion
position. During one of these counter-attacks the enemy succeeded in
establishing an M.M.G. position which threatened part of the Battalion perimeter.
Two attacks on the succeeding day failed to dislodge the enemy M.M.G. Lance-
Corporal Wherry, although a tradesman in H.Q. Company, at once volunteered
for a patrol to clear the M.M.G. During his attack the Patrol Commander was
badly wounded, his body remaining under heavy M.M.G. fire. Lance-Corporal
Wherry immediately charged the enemy position killing three and routing the
remainder. His resolute action cleared the enemy post and enabled the Patrol
Commander to be evacuated.’
Robert Cuthbert Wherry, a member of the 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers,
was decorated for the above cited deeds during two weeks of bloody fighting
around Pinwe, where the Japanese made a determined stand – a period that
witnessed Battalion casualties of 157 men killed or wounded, versus enemy
South Wales Borderers in action in Burma
losses of over 150 in killed alone.
1343
An unusual Second World War Burma operations M.M. awarded to Acting Warrant Officer Class 2 L. Hayes, Royal
Artillery
MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R. (786226 A.W.O.Cl. 2 L. Hayes, R.A.), minor edge bruise, good very fine £1200-1400
M.M. London Gazette 20 September 1945. The original recommendation – for a B.E.M. - states:
‘On 7 June 1945, the Troop of which Battery Sergeant-Major Hayes was acting as Troop Sergeant-Major was in action on the Mawchi
road, Burma, when the gun position was heavily shelled. Several casualties were caused and a limber containing 25-pounder H.E.
shells and charges, and a jeep containing small arms ammunition, were set on fire.
The 25-pounder charges were exploding and throwing burning fragments over the area, causing outbreaks of at least a dozen fresh
fires. Realising that there was grave danger of these fires spreading to other ammunition dumps and to the guns and equipment on the
position, Battery Sergeant-Major Hayes, with two officers, went in to extinguish the fires. Notwithstanding that charges were still
exploding, that small arms ammunition from the blazing jeep was being continuously discharged, and that there was a strong
probability of the ammunition trailer blowing up, Battery Sergeant-Major Hayes approached the ammunition trailer which was blazing
furiously and coolly operated a fire extinguisher on to the flames. He then threw earth and water on to the trailer. Whilst he was doing
this two charges exploded flinging into the air a heavy piece of metal which narrowly missed Battery Sergeant-Major Hayes.
Undeterred by this, he resolutely continued to fight the flames and eventually succeeded in extinguishing them.
He then assisted in putting out the fire on the burning jeep, in spite of the danger from small arms bullets and, finally, rendered yeoman
service in assisting to put out the remaining fires on the position. The deliberate acceptance by this W.O. of the risks involved and the
cheerful and energetic manner in which he carried out his dangerous task were an inspiration to the men in his Battery.
His courageous action unquestionably averted what might have been a serious explosion, and rendered it possible for much valuable
equipment to be withdrawn to a safe place until all the fires were extinguished.’
Leonard Hayes, a native of Manchester, was serving in 115 Field Regiment, R.A. at the time of the above cited deeds.
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