Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Private J. B. H. S. Scott, Royal Scots, who was killed in action at the Battle of Kohima on 28 May 1944

1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named Army Council enclosure, in card box of issue addressed to ‘Mrs. J. Scott, c/o Mrs Gove, 18 Wellington Street, Montrose’, extremely fine (4) £100-£140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to recipients of the Burma Star.

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James Blair Hay Smith Scott attested for the Royal Scots and served with the 1st Battalion during the Second World War in Burma, as part of the force that relieved the 4th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, and other units under siege in Kohima, and was in action there from mid-April 1944. He was killed in action on the second day of 2nd Division’s advance to break out from Kohima:

‘The 4th Brigade now attempted to seize Aradura by frontal attack. The tanks ran into a minefield at MS48, one mile south of Jail Hill, and their escort and the engineers lost half their strength trying to clear it. The 1st Royal Scots and 2nd Royal Norfolks attacking the ridge on the west of the road also suffered heavy losses without making any progress, and at 4.30 p.m. the attack had to be called off.’ (Official History of the War Against Japan, Vol. III, by Woodburn Kirby refers)., aged 25. He is buried in Kohima War Cemetery, Burma.

Originally buried at the foot of the Aradura spur, close to the spot where he lost his life, he was subsequently re-interred in Kohima War Cemetery, India.

His medals were sent to his widow, Mrs. James Scott, of Montrose.