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Auction: 1005 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 17

The Rare ´Inter-War´ 1937 Waziristan D.C.M. Group of Seven to Private, Later Warrant Officer Second Class J.A.R. Letts, Northamptonshire Regiment, For Conspicuous Gallantry, When Although Seriously Wounded in Action Against the Notorious Fakir of Ipi´s Forces, He Rescued Under Hostile Fire a Wounded Jemadar and Brought Him to Safety at Marai Narai a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (5882681 Pte. J.A.R. Letts. 1-North´n. R.) b) India General Service 1936-39, two clasps, North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39, second clasp loose on riband (5882681 Pte. J.A.R. Letts. D.C.M. North´n. R.) c) 1939-1945 Star d) Africa Star e) Italy Star f) Defence and War Medals, minor edge bruise to first, otherwise good very fine or better, together with the following related items and documents: - Dunkirk 1940 Commemoration Medal - Northamptonshire Regiment cap badge - The recipient´s Certificate of Service Book - The recipient´s Certified Copy of Attestation Certificate, dated 26.11.1931 - The recipient´s Certificate of Transfer to the Army Reserve, dated 22.2.1946 - The recipient´s Soldier´s Release Book - Army Certificate of Education, Second Class, dated Murree, 20.6.1934 - Newspaper cutting announcing the award of the D.C.M. - Northamptonshire Regiment Comrades´ Association and D.C.M. League booklets (7) Estimate £ 6,000-8,000 D.C.M. London Gazette 12.11.1937 No. 5882681 Private John Aubers Ridge Letts, 1st. Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment ´For gallant and distinguished service in action in connection with the operations on the North West Frontier of India, 1937.´ The Recommendation states: ´On 9th September, 1937, Private Letts was one of a piquet overlooking the Marai Narai for the purposes of road protection. The piquet was under continuous, close, and accurate rifle fire from 8:00 a.m. until 3:20 p.m. Private Letts was wounded in the left chest. He insisted on remaining with the piquet until ordered down at about 4:00 p.m. Before and after being wounded, he was conspicuous for his acts of bravery and devotion to duty. For instance, after he had been wounded, he perceived a Jemadar, Royal Artillery who was wounded and fell in an exposed position. Private Letts immediately dashed out and bought the Jemadar to safety. In doing so, he narrowly missed being hit again. He rendered the greatest assistance to his Piquet Commander in locating the dispositions of the enemy, which often necessitated exposing himself to enemy fire.´ 5882681 Warrant Officer Second Class John Aubers Ridge Letts, D.C.M., born in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, 25.9.1913, and enlisted in the Northamptonshire Regiment, 26.11.1931. He served with the Regiment in India 18.10.1933-10.11.1938, a period which included service with the Razmac garrison (which consisted of a Brigade of one British and five Indian Army Infantry Battalions, Tochi Scouts, Artillery, Engineers, and Services), from November 1936 to December 1937, during which period he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for services in the campaign against the notorious Fakir of Ipi. Letts served during the Second World War with the British Expeditionary Force in France from 18.10.1939, and in Madagascar, India, Syria, the Middle East, and North West Europe (Record of Service refers, giving Second War medal entitlement as 1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence and War Medals); he transferred to the Army Reserve, 22.2.1946, and was finally discharged, 25.9.1958. One of only 2 Distinguished Conduct Medals awarded for the Waziristan Campaigns 1936-39.

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£7,500