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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 707A

A good Immediate 'Second Battle of Kohima - Garrison Hill' M.M. awarded to Lance Corporal E Wharton 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, who distinguished himself on the night of 27-28 April 1944

His Platoon counter attacked a Japanese machine gun position which Wharton personally put out of action and consolidated the Platoon's position remaining there overnight until relieved the next day

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4458608 L. Cpl. E. Wharton. Durh. L. I), suspension re-affixed, contact marks and wear, nearly very fine

M.M. London Gazette 31 August 1944. The original Recommendation states:

'At Garrison Hill Kohima, on the night 27/28 April 1944, L/Cpl Wharton was section Commander in GR PLN 2/DLI. The BN Perimeter was heavily attacked during the night, and some forward positions were overrun. The GR PLN counter-attacked, and L/Cpl Wharton Leading his Section with great dash and determination, drove the Japanese from his sector off the objective, personally putting out of action a Jap LMG as soon as it opened up. He then consolidated and hung on under heavy and prolonged M.G. fire until relived later in the day. His outstanding courage, determination and leadership was largely responsible for the success of the action'.

Edward Wharton was born at Gateshead on 13 April 1918 and was a plasterer when he enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry. He distinguished himself during the second day of the Second Battle of Kohima in April 1944.

'With the lifting of the siege of Kohima in mid-April 1944, another major battle for that famous ridge commenced, only on this occasion the British and Indian forces found themselves on the offensive against an enemy who excelled in defensive warfare. Defending every bunker with extraordinary determination, the surviving elements of Sato's 31st Division reaped heavy casualties on the men of 4th, 5th and 6th Brigades who had been allotted the unenviable task of taking the Allied advance forward. In scenes reminiscent of the famous siege, fierce hand-to-hand fighting, sniping, grenade and phosphorous bomb attacks, and bayonet charges were all part of everyday life.

Wharton served as part of 6 Brigade in the attack on central Kohima, 4 May 1944, the 'attack of 5 Brigade on the Naga village was bloodily repulsed, and in Kohima the attack by 6 Brigade was equally unsuccessful. The brigade aimed to capture the series of hills which the Royal West Kents had defended in the first phase of the battle - Garrison Hill, Kuki Piquet, Field Supply Depot (FSD), Daily Issue Store (DIS) and Jail Hill. The Durham Light Infantry, Royal Berkshires and Royal Welch Fusiliers supported by tanks and artillery made some progress and got some platoons on to FSD and DIS, but all their positions were covered by penetrating Japanese fire, and they sustained severe casualties. At the end of a day of fierce and confused fighting, the Royal Welch Fusiliers still had a precarious hold on FSD.

As usual, the Japanese had sited their bunkers cleverly and had dug them deeply enough to withstand any amount of artillery or mortar fire. Inside the bunkers, every man expected to fight to the death. Brave and vigorous attacks by infantry following closely behind a heavy bombardment were invariably met by withering automatic fire and showers of grenades - as every unit in this grim, prolonged and bloody battle found to their cost. The arrival in Kohima of the first tanks, up the road from Dimapur, was the one factor which slowly swung the battle against the Japanese.' (Burma Victory, Imphal, Kohima and the Chindit issue, March 1944 to May 1945 by D. Rooney refers); sold together with two original photographs of the recipient and a quantity of research.



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Sold for
£1,100

Starting price
£550