Six: Private D. Haddock, West Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed in action during the withdrawal from Magyi Chaung to Kanyindan in Burma on 16 January 1944

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (4538072. Pte. D. Haddock. W. York. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for wear, generally good very fine (6) £260-£300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to recipients of the Burma Star.

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Daniel Haddock was born in 1922 and attested for the West Yorkshire Regiment, serving with the 2nd Battalion in Palestine prior to service during the Second World War. The Battalion initially fought against the Italians in Eritrea in 1940, before joining the 8th Army in Egypt the following year. Forming part of the 5th Indian Division, the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment arrived in Burma in 1943. They served in Arakan, and on 9 January 1944 were involved in the capture of the port of Maungdaw.

Haddock was killed in action on 16 January 1944, and between 14 - 17 January, ‘from Maungdaw the West Yorks moved south and east to try to probe the Razabil defences from the rear. During the night of 14 January when “C” Company had occupied what seemed to be a deserted trench close to the main bastion, the Japanese moved up over the flat coastal ground to attack “D” Company and a company of the 3/9th Jats holding an undamaged iron bridge across the Magyi Chaung near Zullpara. The attacks were beaten off, but Cree ordered “C “and “A” Companies to fall back to their original positions. “C” Company never received the message and as a result found itself isolated and heavily attacked by the Japanese who had reoccupied the trenches earlier vacated by “A” Company. The attacks were held but the withdrawal decided upon independently by the company commander approached disaster. By the time Kanyindan had been reached one officer and 11 men had been killed, two officers and 19 men wounded and 11 were found to be missing.’ (Battle of the Box, by P. Turnball refers).

Originally buried at Akyab War Cemetery, he was subsequently re-interred in Taukkyan War Cemetery, Burma.