Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1942 ‘Evacuation of Burma’ B.E.M. awarded to Mr. T. A. O’Leary, Assistant Foreman, Burma Railways

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Terence Alfred O’Leary) good very fine £400-500

Provenance: Richard Magor Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, July 2003.

B.E.M. London Gazette 29 January 1943:
‘For bravery and distinguished services in the Burma evacuation. Mr. O’Leary remained at his post at Toungoo until the town was evacuated. During many air raids he displayed outstanding coolness and efficiency, working for long hours both day and night as required. On one occasion he displayed outstanding courage in entering a smouldering railway wagon to ascertain the contents, thought to be high octane spirit. In so doing he did not hesitate to risk his life and set a very fine example to the staff.’

Toungoo was a town in Burma with a population in 1942 of approximately 23,000 situated on the main Rangoon to Mandalay railway, 150 miles north of Rangoon. Only seven B.E.M.’s were awarded for the evacuation of Burma, of which four were awarded to Burma Railways Staff.