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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 409

The following five Lots were personally presented to the present owner by Brigadier Salomons, a close friend and owner of the neighbouring estate in the west of Scotland

An important Second War D.S.O. and Bar, O.B.E. group of ten awarded to Brigadier J. A. Salomons, Indian Army, a veteran of numerous campaigns on the North-West Frontier, Salomons served with distinction in Africa and Burma with the 'Ball of Fire' 5th Indian Division, notably taking the surrender of the Nicobar and Andaman Islands whilst commander of the 116th Indian Infantry Division in October 1945

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, officially dated '1945', with Second Award Bar, officially dated '1945', with top riband bar, adapted for mounting; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Waziristan 1921-24, North West Frontier 1930-31, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. J. A. Salomons, 3-3 S,Prs.); India General Service 1936-39, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39 (4569 Sepoy Prabha, 1-17 Dogra.) [sic]; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; India Independence Medal (AI-498 Brig. J. A. Salomon, I.A.), mounted court-style as worn by Spink & Son, 5, 6 & 7 King Street, very fine (10)

Note:
The I.G.S. was replaced for the purposes of mounting, after the loss of the original.

D.S.O. London Gazette 8 February 1945. The original recommendation states:

'In Arakan

Brig. Salomons commanded 4/7 Rajputs in Jan 1944 with conspicuous success and was mostly instrumental in affecting the capture of Pt 124 and an important part of the "Tortoise" Feature. The personal example of courage he set to his Battalion was noteworthy in the Division. Since commanding 9 Ind Inf Bde he held firm in his positions overlooking the Maungdaw-Buthidaung Road east of the Mayu Ridge when the Ngakyedauk Pass was out behind him; and later commanded the operations south of Maungdaw leading up to the capture of Godusara.

In the Imphal Plain he re-captured Nunshigum and Mapo features through his skilful leadership, and through his aggressive inspiration his Bde has accounted for very many enemy dead.

Brig Salomons has been on service continuously since the M.E. 1940 campaign and his services deserve high recognition.'

Second Award Bar to D.S.O. London Gazette 28 June 1945. The original recommendation states:

Throughout this period Brig Salomons' Bde has been heavily engaged with the enemy, firstly in the operations to clear the Kohima Rd and later in the advance down the Tiddim Rd. During all this time his Bde has done magnificent work and has kept up the momentum of the advance despite units being heavily depleted by sickness and casualties. By his personality, Brig Salomons has inspired his Bde with dash and confidence and is largely responsible for their great work. His conduct of the operations throughout has been deserving of the highest praise. This officer is recommended for the award of a(nother) D.S.O.'

O.B.E. London Gazette 8 July 1941. The original recommendation - by Brigadier (later Earl) Wavell - states:

'Egypt (Nibeiwa & Sidi Barani) 9/11 Dec 1940.

This officer was the senior Liaison officer with Brig HQ during the recent operations. He not only carried out his duties as Liaison officer most effectively and at times under artillery fire of some intensity, but also acted when necessary as an additional staff officer to relieve the over-burdened Brigade Staff.

During the night march after Nibeiwa on 9/10 Dec and again during the night 11/12 Dec he led the Brigade across unknown country accurately and quickly.

His conduct throughout was beyond praise. His cool, careful and selfless devotion to duty contributed in large measure to the successful conduct of the operations.'

Joseph Arthur Salomons was born on 14 March 1900 and commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 29 January 1920, joining the Indian Army at the start of February that year and subsequently being posted to the Sikh Pioneers, with whom he served in Waziristan and as a Captain on the North West Frontier (Medal & 2 clasps, mention). Following further active service on the North West Frontier in the late 1930's (Medal & 2 clasps), Salomons was with the 7th Rajputs in the rank of Major at the onset of the Second World War.

He served in North Africa with the 8th Army in the early days of the war, before having his finest hours in Burma. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in July 1942, he saw further service with the famous 'Ball of Fire', 5th Indian Division throughout the campaign in the Far East. He commanded the 9th Indian Brigade for over 12 months from February 1944, before overall charge of the Divison from 11-22 February. Salomons then took on command of the 116th Indian Brigade for the remainder of the war.

With the end of hostilities against Japan coming in August, Salomons and his trusty Indian troops turned their attentions to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which had yet to be handed over. After overwhelming Japanese forces stormed the islands in March 1942, the natives of the islands had suffered dreadfully at the hands of their captors. Public executions, torture and starvation were rife during the years of occupation.

So it was on 7 October 1945 that Vice Admiral Hara Teizo and Major-General Tamenori Sato surrendered the islands to Brigadier Salomons, in a ceremony performed on the Gymkhana Ground, Port Blair. Order was restored and thankfully the two former senior officers were tried and hanged for their appalling crimes.

Salomons assumed command of the 73rd Brigade in May 1946 and retired in March 1949. He died in Scotland on 7 June 1973; sold together with his large original Lafayettepainted portrait photograph with medal ribands, signed in pencil, housed in a silver frame, two car pennants and five original photographs.

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Sold for
£4,500

Starting price
£2100