An exceptional Burma campaign D.C.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant J. H. “Bunker Buster” Barnett, 1/8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers
Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (3521772 Sjt. J. H. Barnett, Lan. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D., these last four all privately impressed; Regular Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (3521772 Sjt., (D.C.M.) L.F.) nearly extremely fine (6)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals Formed By Dr A W Stott.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 17 July 1945.

‘At KYAUKSE on 4 Feb 1945, Sgt Barnett was platoon Sgt of 15 pl C Coy 1/8th Bn. The Lancashire Fusiliers. The task allotted to theBn was to capture and hold the village of Kyaukse (sq 3264 map Ngazun sheet 4) and at the same time destroy the enemy. The enemy strength was estimated to be approx 120, well dug in, in bunker posns. C Coy was the right hand Coy in the attack which started at 1100 hrs, with the object of clearing the Southern part of the village. At approx 1415 hrs the Coy objective had been reached by 15 pl, when Sgt Barnett pointed out to his pl Cmd that there was enemy activity in the PAGODA 332644, to the South, and suggested that the posn should be dealt with immediately. The pl Cmd agreed and the pl continued to advance. Shortly after the advance had continued the pl Cmd and a Fusilier were killed by a direct shot from a 37mm A/Tel-El-Kebir gun sited in the Pagoda. This incident held up the advancing pl but Sgt Barnett immediately took command of the pl and recovered the bodies of his pl Cmd and the Fusilier. He then told the pl to remain in their present position and himself went across to the tanks who were working with the pl at the time and explained the situation. After arranging with the tanks and without orders from his Coy Cmd, Sgt Barnett re-organised the attack on the enemy position. He then led the attack himself with two secs, coming under heavy fire from an L.M.G. and a 37mm gun. Sgt Barnett however pressed home the attack and overran the position, he himself killing many Japs out of the 32 accounted for, and also capturing a 70mm gun and a 37mm gun. Sgt Barnett then re-organised the pl in a defensive position on the objective while the guns were being dug out and a search made. During this period they were continually being sniped. After the guns had been dug out and the psn searched, he returned with his pl to his Coy, on orders from the Coy Cmd.

It was only as a result of the outstanding leadership displayed by Sgt Barnett, the fine example shown to the men under his cmd, and his grim determination, that the enemy position (which if it had been allowed to remain in enemy hands would undoubtedly have severely handicapped the consolidation of the village) was successfully taken, the enemy killed and the guns captured.’

James Henry Barnett was mentioned in despatches for Burma London Gazette 19 July 1945. He received his D.C.M. from the King at Buckingham Palace on 10 July 1946, and was issued with his L.S. & G.C. in March 1948