Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War Burma operations M.M. group of six awarded to Bombardier W. Woods, Royal Artillery

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (902849 Bmbr. R.A.); 1939-45 Star’ Burma Star; Defence and War Medals; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (902849 Gnr., M.M., R.A.) generally extremely fine (6) £900-1000

M.M. London Gazette 20 September 1945.

Recommendation states: ‘At Singu on the East bank of the Irrawaddy, on 15 April 1945 Bdr. Woods of 348 Bty, 136 Fd Regt R.A. was one of an Arty O.P. party which accompanied “B” Coy on their infiltration into Singu North on night 14/15 April 45. The coy and attached troops had been attacked at dawn in the area of some Pagodas on the North East of the village and had been forced to seek cover within the perimeter provided by a small wall which encircled one of the Pagodas. In seeking immediate cover from the sudden attack the Arty party were obliged to leave some heavy equipment, including their “22” wireless set, outside the wall. The Japanese were sniping continually and using grenade dischargers from the edge of the village some 50 yeards away. The sniping which was exceedingly accurate killed and wounded several of the men who had been replying to the Jap fire. During a lull in the firing Bdr. Woods aked for permission to scale the wall in full view of the Jap position, in order to recover the equipment which was lying on the other side. Bdr. Woods leaped over the wall and in full view of the enemy position in the village succeeded in bringing in all the signal equipment belonging to the O.P. party, thus enabling fire to be brought down on the enemy. By volunteering for and carrying out this act of gallantry Bdr Woods displayed the very highest courage and devotion to duty’.

William James Woods enlisted into the R.A. (T.A.) in April 1939 and was posted to 87 Field Regiment R.A. In June 1939 he posted to 136 Regiment R.A. With his unit he served in India and Burma, January 1943-March 1946 and in December 1945 was appointed an Acting Sergeant. Released to the Army Reserve in June 1946, in 1953 he re-enlisted into the R.A. (T.A.) and was posted to the 359 Medium Regiment. He was discharged at his own request on 11 October 1961.

The Military Medal and forwading slip in glass-fronted wooden frame, with the copied ‘recommendation’ in a matching frame. Sold with several photographs, an American Legion membership card, cloth R.A. blazer badge and copied research.