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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 751

A superb Burma 1943 M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant J. A. Tompson, Royal Welsh Fusiliers later Captain, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

Military Medal G.VI.R. (4191684 Sjt. J. A. Tompson. R. W. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medal 1939-45, all privately named 'Capt. J. A. Tompson. M.M. 1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders'; General Service Medal 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (Capt. J. A. Tompson. R.A.O.C.), mounted court style for wear, good very fine (6)

M.M. London Gazette 1 June 1943, the original citation states:

'During the Battalion attack against Japanese positions North of Donbaik, Sergeant Thompson [SIC] was N.C.O. in charge of a battery of 2" mortars supporting the attack. When he could no longer fire without risk of inflicting casualties on our own men, this N.C.O. set about rescuing the wounded. While the enemy fire from mortars, M.Gs. and grenades was at its height, Sergeant Thompson [SIC] went out no less than four times, and each time succeeded in bringing back a wounded man from under the eyes of the enemy. Each rescue necessitated a journey of some three hundred yards over country swept by enemy fire.

This N.C.O. displayed valour of the highest order, and carried out his self-appointed task with the greatest coolness and disregard of his own safety.

John Allan Tompson was born on 27 January 1920 and enlisted first on 30 April 1935 with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and re-enlisted on 5 January 1937. Taking part in the Battle of Donbaik, Field Marshall Slim said of the Battalion:

‘The last and final assault.... were led by the Royal Welch Fusiliers and on that day they showed valour which I think has rarely been surpassed. They stormed the position, they took it and were on top of those bunkers but they could not get inside them. They stood there until, I am afraid, most of them had been knocked out by the machine guns and artillery. As a place of sheer courage, I do not think it has ever been surpassed...’

Tompson was discharged to an Emergency Commission on 2 July 1944 he served with the new number 33070 and saw service in Malaya as a Captain. Retiring as a Major to Cyrtau Farm, Blaenpewal, Dyfed, he joined the Burma star association there in 1975 and died in 1977; sold together with an original, framed citation and photograph of the recipient in the uniform of a Captain.


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Sold for
£2,100

Starting price
£1000