Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An extremely rare ‘Burma 1930-32’ D.S.O., Great War ‘Mesopotamia’ M.C. and Persian Order of the Lion and Sun group of eleven awarded to Colonel J. D. Fulton, 2-15th Punjabis, late 26th Punjabis, Indian Army, who over the course of an illustrious career was 9 times Mentioned in Despatches

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. J. D. Fulton); General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Kurdistan, Iraq, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Major J. D. Fulton.); India General Service 1908-35, 3 clasps, Waziristan 1921-24, Burma 1930-32, North West Frontier 1935, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Maj. J. D. Fulton, 2-15 Punjab R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Persia, Empire, Order of the Lion and Sun, Third Class beast badge, 75mm including suspension x 67mm, silver and enamel, with rosette on riband, minor enamel damage to last, generally good very fine or better (11) £3000-4000

D.S.O. London Gazette 20 December 1932:
‘For distinguished services rendered in the field in connection with military operations in Burma during the period December 1932 to March 1932.’

The Recommendation states: ‘For valuable service rendered throughout the Rebellion in Burma, 1931. This officer who is Second-in-Command, commanded his battalion during the absence of his Commanding Officer on leave in the United Kingdom, throughout the whole period of the Rebellion in Burma from December, 1930. His loyalty, ceaseless hard work, and his efficient handling of all operations committed to his charge, in all parts over the whole of Lower Burma up to June 1931, when the additional troops from India arrived in Burma is beyond all praise. Since June he was responsible for the Insein Area, and it is through his sterling services whilst in charge there that the Rebellion in the Insein Area was suppressed.’

M.C. London Gazette 25 August 1917.

Persian Order of the Lion and Sun, Third Class London Gazette 16 January 1920.

James Deas Fulton was born in Edinburgh on 23 August 1888 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Unattached List, on 4 September 1908. Arriving in India on 4 November of that year, he was posted to the 26th Punjabis, and was promoted Lieutenant on 9 December 1910 and Captain on 1 September 1915. He served during the Great War in Iraq from 3 January 1916 until 28 March 1918, during which period he distinguished himself in an attack on the 26 January 1917: ‘At 11:35 a.m. “A” and “B” Companies to the left of Emperor’s trench advanced to their position but this took them too far left. They eventually reached their target, Point 16, after advancing across open ground for 1,500 yards, during which they suffered very heavy casualties. At this time Colonel Thompson was killed and Captain Fulton took command of the 2 companies at Point 16. The position was consolidated and patrols were sent out to contact the 82nd Punjabis on the right. Enemy counter-attacks were repulsed. The 2 companies were withdrawn, as they were out of ammunition to the right and joined “C” Company at 2:15 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. the Regiment withdrew back to Emperor’s trench, having lost 27 killed, 186 wounded, and 18 missing.’ (War Diary of the 26th Punjabis refers). On 10 October 1917 Fulton left the 26th Punjabis to take up a Staff appointment with 36th Infantry Brigade, serving with them in North West Persia from 29 March 1918 until the Armistice, and was promoted Brigade Major on 6 November 1918. For his services during the Great War he was four times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 19 October 1916, 15 August 1917, and 27 August 1918, and 5 June 1919); was awarded the Military Cross, most probably for his gallantry and leadership during the action from Emperor’s trench; and was honoured by the Shah of Persia with the Order of the Lion and Sun Third Class, one of only 12 British Officers to receive the Order for service during the Great War.

Continuing in Mesopotamia, Fulton served as Brigade Major of the 55th Brigade, 19 June 1919 until 21 June 1921, and was twice more Mentioned in Despatches, for Southern Kurdistan and Mesopotamia (London Gazettes 12 February 1920 and 9 September 1921 respectively). Returning to India, he joined the 2-15th Punjabis and took part in the operations in Waziristan, 1922-23, and in Burma, 1930-32, where he was again Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 20 December 1932) and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, one of only four D.S.O.s awarded for the Burma Campaign. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 December 1933, he was appointed Commanding Officer of the 2-15th Punjabis, and led them during operations on the North West Frontier of India in both the Loe-Agra and Mohmand operations, and was separately Mentioned in Despatches for each operation (London Gazettes 7 February 1936 and 8 May 1936 respectively). Promoted Brevet Colonel and Acting Brigadier on 8 May 1936, he was appointed to the command of the Nowshera Brigade that same month, a post he held until 30 November 1937. Transferring to the Reserve of Officers on 1 June 1938, he held a special appointment during the Second World War, before finally retiring on 13 March 1945.

Sold together with the recipient’s Commission Document, dated 4 September 1908; Bestowal Document for the Distinguished Service Order, dated 20 December 1932; a copy of the Statutes of the Order; and the recipient’s 9 Mentioned in Despatches Certificates, dated 24 August 1916, 10 April 1917, 15 April 1918, 7 February 1919, 15 November 1919 (Southern Kurdistan 1919), 7 February 1921 (Mesopotamia 1920), 18 May 1932 (Burma 1930-32), 19 July 1935 (North West Frontier of India (Loe-Agra Operations) 1935), and 28 November 1935 (North West Frontier of India (Mohmand Opertions) 1935).

The India General Service Medal is correctly named to Maj. J. D. Fulton, 2-15 Punjab R.