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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 128

(x) An excellent 'Burma 1944' M.M. awarded to Sapper J. Ghag, Bombay Sappers and Miners Group, Indian Engineer Corps, who was extremely unlucky to have his award downgraded from the I.D.S.M.

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (53241 Spr. Jaising Ghag Bombay S & M G R I E), heavy contact marks, very fine

M.M. London Gazette 16 November 1944, the original recommendation states:

'At Phalbung near Palel on the 25th of April 1944 No. 53241 Sapper Jaising Ghag was a member of a Patrol- Part of the patrol- was surrounded in open ground by the enemy- Jemadar Bajrang Kale with four men, including Sapper Jaising Ghag, were detailed to give covering fire to the remainder whilst they escaped. The Jemadar and his party then found themselves cut off so they had to withdraw by another route which was blocked by a party of Japanese. Without hesitation they charged again but being outnumbered were all overpowered and left for dead- Jemadar Bajrang Kale was killed by the sword of a Japanese officer. Sapper Jaising Ghag received a blow from a sword which cut the back of his neck from ear to ear severing the muscle and bone from the back of his skull and leaving it hanging loose down his back. After about two days Sapper Jaising Ghag, recovering consciousness found himself lying amongst a number of dead Japanese, without his boots and part of his clothing. He took some boots off a dead Japanese and searching the bodies obtained a valuable identification. After five days, during which time he was without food, he met a Gurkha Patrol which brought him in.

By his gallant action and devotion to duty Sapper Jaising Ghag not only helped to kill several Japanese but also brought in a valuable identification which was the object of the Patrol.'

Jaising Ghag was serving with No. 402 (R.B.) Indian Field Company, Indian Engineers when he won his award, attached to 80 Brigade, 20th Division. He was recommended for the I.D.S.M. but was downgraded to the M.M.; sold together with copied research.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£700 to £900

Starting price
£550