A fine D.C.M. for the campaign in Burma awarded to Company Sergeant Major V. G. Stevens, Seaforth Highlanders

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (6098655 C.S.M. V. Stevens, Seaforth) naming officially engraved as usual for awards presented in the field in the Far East, good very fine £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Richard Magor Collection of Medals Relating to India and Africa, and other Fine Awards.

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M.I.D. London Gazette 5 April 1945.

D.C.M. London Gazette 28 June 1945: Colour-Sergeant Victor George Stevens, 1st Bn. The Seaforth Highlanders. This award was presented in the field by General Sir Claude Auchinleck in 1944. The medal was almost certainly issued by the Indian Mint and officially engraved in upright capitals (see British Gallantry Awards by P.E. Abbott and J.M.A. Tamplin). Theofficial recommendation states:

'During the course of operations just concluded, this N.C.O. showed himself to be an outstanding leader. He acquitted himself with much credit on a number of occasions. During April and May 1944 owing to a shortage of officers, this N.C.O. at the time a Sgt. was in command of a platoon which position he filled with the highest credit and success. During the night 16/17th April 1944 his platoon was part of the defence of Kasom village. He was in command of a platoon that consisted entirely of untried men. The position had been hastily prepared and owing to the rocky nature of the terrain, it was practically impossible to dig in. The men were thus very exposed and the Japs made repeated and very determined attacks to capture the village. C. Sgt. Stevens's platoon was occupying part of the perimeter which the Japs were determined to penetrate. Time and time again they hurled themselves against this platoon but each time they were repulsed with heavy loss. C. Sgt.Stevens kept moving from one section to another with great coolness and daring, steadied the men under him and by sheer force of personal example and complete disregard for his own safety, held his ground. There is no doubt that under his inspiring influence, command and leadership a critical situation was saved. Again at Lam Mu on 24th April, after his company's successful attack on the village, C. Sgt. Stevens's platoon occupied a most exposed section of the perimeter. This task was specially given to him by his Company Commander who now had utmost confidence in C. Sgt. Stevens’ ability to hold on. Time after time the enemy put in spirited counter attacks with heavy covering fire, but again C. Sgt. Stevens showed the same courage, devotion to duty and calm leadership and beat off every attack. Again at Scraggy on 31st May and Mirlong Khunou on the 24th June 1944 this young N.C.O. showed courage and conduct of the highest order. His ability and leadership were such as to merit the entire confidence of the men under him, and he personally contributed in no small way to the unqualified success of his company.’

An officially impressed DCM is known to this recipient, named to him in his rank as shown in the London Gazette. The DCM offered here is named with his rank at the time of his winning the award in the field