Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War Burma campaign Immediate M.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Corporal John Brown, 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4189546 L. Cpl. J. Brown. R.W, Fus,) some official corrections to naming; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal, the M.M. on its investiture pin in named box of issue together with named packet and named Buckingham Palace enclosure letter, nearly extremely fine (4) £800-£1,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 23rd Foot Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

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M.M. London Gazette 22 July 1943: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Burma.’

The original recommendation for an Immediate M.M. states:

‘INDIN, Burma, 3-6 April 1943.

Over a period of several days, during operations against the Japanese near INDIN L/Cpl Brown conducted himself with great gallantry on a number of occasions.

On 3 Apr 43 the enemy succeeded in occupying a series of hills covering the road north of INDIN and blew the only bridge over the chang. As communication with FORCE HQ had been cut, L/Cpl Brown in company with another N.C.O. volunteered to drive his carrier over the bullet swept road in order to get through to HQ. His carrier came under heavy and accurate M.G. fire and shelling almost immediately, but L/Cpl Brown drove on, reconnoitred the damaged bridge and continued to drive across a very exposed stretch of open ground until he found an alternative crossing for vehicles. He then crossed the chang and drove on to FORCE HQ.

On his return he found that two ambulances full of severely wounded men were awaiting evacuation. Again L/Cpl Brown volunteered to take his carrier as escort to the ambulances. Once more he ran the gauntlet of enemy fire and safely brought his convoy to the M.D.S.

On two more occasions after this L/Cpl Brown repeated this feat and by his great coolness and supreme disregard of personal danger succeeded in getting all the ambulances through. On more than one occasion he stopped his carrier to take bogged vehicles in tow when under fire.

L/Cpl Brown’s skill, coolness and unselfish devotion to duty set a most inspiring example to all around him.’