Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 68


A Second War 1944 immediate ‘Burma operations’ M.M. awarded to Naik Safaraz Khan, 3/2nd Punjab Regiment, for capturing an enemy position on the Tiddim Road, 1 November 1944, despite half his section being killed or wounded in the process


Military Medal, G.VI.R. (9927 Nk Sarfaraz Khan Punjab R) two digs in obverse field, very fine M.M London Gazette 22 March 1945.


£500-£700


The Recommendation states: ‘On 1 November 1944, during the operations against Vital Corner, Naik Sarfraz [sic] Khan was ordered to secure part of an enemy position overlooking MS 14 on the Tiddim - Fort White Road.


He led his section forward with dash and determination, checked the superior enemy before they had time to occupy their posts and established himself with his section as close as possible to the bunkers in which the enemy took up position.


Although prevented from digging in by constant enemy sniping at close range he maintained his position dominating the enemy to his front and despite the fact that half his section were killed or wounded refused to be dislodged.


Naik Sarfraz Khan’s action in promptly closing with the enemy was of the greatest assistance in establishing his platoon on a vital feature and his cheerful determination under fire was an inspiration to all.’


69


A Second War 1944 ‘North West Europe’ M.M awarded to Sergeant J. McFadden, 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, for repeated gallantry from when the Battalion landed in France in June 1944, through to operations around Gheel, Belgium, September 1944, and during the attack on Blerick, Netherlands, 3 December 1944


Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2824965 A/Sjt. J. McFadden. R. S. Fus.) edge bruising, nearly very fine M.M. London Gazette 24 January 1946


£800-£1,200


The original recommendation states: ‘Sergeant McFadden has served with this Battalion since it landed in France on 15 June 1944. As a Fusilier in a rifle section, he took over his section on more than one occasion when the section commander became a casualty. By his example, initiative and drive he always carried out any task allotted to the section. As a NCO he has shown the finest powers of leadership and the greatest devotion to duty. Never did he allow any consideration for his own personal safety to interfere with his duty.


Two examples are but typical of his high standard.


On 16 September 1944 during the heavy fighting in the Gheel bridgehead an officer was making his way back from an isolated position held by the company. At that moment a counter-attack developed. The officer was forced to ground by a sudden burst of automatic fire and he was quite unable to move. Sergeant McFadden saw the incident and quickly ordered all weapons of his section to engage the area from which the fire was coming. Under cover of this fire he rushed out to where the officer was lying and told the officer of his plan to get back. Then he indicated that more fire was required and under cover of this he and the officer got back.


Again in the attack on Blerick on 3 December 1944 Sergeant McFadden, who was a section commander, had to take over his platoon just prior to crossing the start line owing to the platoon commander being wounded. The Kangeroo in which his platoon was travelling became bogged before reaching the objective. Without hesitation he dismounted his platoon and led them to the objective which was under considerable enemy defensive fire. His leadership was such that he reached the objective without losing a single man.


Throughout the campaign his services have been worthy of the highest commendation.’ James McFadden was a native of Renfrew, Scotland. He served during the Second War with the 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.


70


An immediate 1945 ‘Arakan operations’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Naik Tore Baz Khan, 7/16th Punjab Regiment, for silencing a Japanese bunker with grenades during a night attack on the northern top of Hill 170 in the Kangaw area, 31 January 1945


Military Medal, G.VI.R. (12065 L-Nk Tore Baz Khan Punjab R) edge bruising, nearly very fine M.M. London Gazette 21 June 1945.


£500-£700


The recommendation states: ‘On night 31 January 1945 Lance-Naik Tore Baz Khan was commanding a section of the leading platoon during an attack on the Northern tip of hill 170 in the Kangaw area, where the enemy had succeeded in obtaining a footing only a short distance from our own positions.


He was ordered by his Platoon Commander to take his LMG to the left flank to cover the advance of the leading section down the ridge. When the enemy opened fire he immediately engaged with his LMG and an enemy Machine Gun at once directed heavy fire on to his position wounded his No. 1.


Seeing the danger to his gun group, he ordered them to a new position and ignoring the fact that the enemy were in a bunker only a few yards from him, he crawled forward to within four yards of their positions and threw grenades into the bunker, killing the occupants and silencing the gun.


At first light next morning this N.C.O. volunteered to accompany his Platoon Commander in an effort to recover the body of a sepoy who had been killed in the previous night’s action.


Lance-Naik Tore Baz Khan’s devotion to duty and cool courage under heavy enemy fire were a splendid example to his comrades.’ 71


A good Second War 1945 immediate ‘Italy operations’ M.M. awarded to Naik Allah Ditta, 69th Indian Field Company, Corps of Indian Engineers, for his gallantry whilst clearing the main Divisional route forward of shells converted into mines, 10/11 April 1945, during which he ‘took the risk of lifting some fifty shells by hand, in the dark, and under continuous mortar and Spandau fire.’


Military Medal, G.VI.R. (23978 Naik. Allah Ditta. C. of I. E. I.A.) light scratches, good very fine M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1945.


£600-£800


The recommendation states: ‘On the night 10-11 April 1945 Naik Allah Ditta was in charge of a minesweeping party forward from the Scola Arginello. The infantry had passed up the road leaving eight enemy in a house at the side of the road as he was sweeping. They fired two Spandau bursts as he started work but this did not stop him. In the road were a large number of shells, dug in, with wires attached to them. Naik Allah Ditta fastened a rope to the first three and pulled them out. Finding that they did not explode and knowing that a bulldozer was urgently required forward, he took the risk of lifting some fifty shells by hand, in the dark, and under continuous mortar and Spandau fire. As the party neared the house, the enemy came out and gave themselves up.


Naik Allah Ditta’s prompt action and disregard for danger greatly reduced the time for opening the main Divisional route forward.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 11 January 1945:


‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ www.dnw.co.uk all lots are illustrated on our website and are subject to buyers’ premium at 24% (+VAT where applicable)


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164  |  Page 165  |  Page 166  |  Page 167  |  Page 168  |  Page 169  |  Page 170  |  Page 171  |  Page 172  |  Page 173  |  Page 174  |  Page 175  |  Page 176  |  Page 177  |  Page 178  |  Page 179  |  Page 180  |  Page 181  |  Page 182  |  Page 183  |  Page 184  |  Page 185  |  Page 186  |  Page 187  |  Page 188  |  Page 189  |  Page 190  |  Page 191  |  Page 192  |  Page 193  |  Page 194  |  Page 195  |  Page 196  |  Page 197  |  Page 198  |  Page 199  |  Page 200  |  Page 201  |  Page 202  |  Page 203  |  Page 204  |  Page 205  |  Page 206  |  Page 207  |  Page 208  |  Page 209  |  Page 210  |  Page 211  |  Page 212  |  Page 213  |  Page 214  |  Page 215  |  Page 216  |  Page 217  |  Page 218  |  Page 219  |  Page 220  |  Page 221  |  Page 222  |  Page 223  |  Page 224  |  Page 225