Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A particularly fine Second War ‘Arakan and Kohima operations’ M.C. group of seven awarded to Major T. Casey, 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, who later commanded the lead Company in the assault crossing of the 2,000 yards wide River Irrawaddy, 14 February 1945, and was mentioned in despatches for his gallantry during the assault

Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated ‘1945’; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (Major T. Casey. M.C. S. Lan. R.) rank and initial officially corrected; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (Capt. T. Casey. (M.C.) S. Lan. R.) mounted for wear, very fine (7) £2,000-£2,600

M.C. London Gazette 22 March 1945.
The original recommendation states: ‘On 12 June 1944, Capt. Casey was commanding a platoon of “B” Coy in a battalion attack on Kidima village. There was a mist and Capt. Casey’s platoon suddenly found itself under heavy L.M.G. fire from a bunker at close range. Capt. Casey personally brought a L.M.G. into action and engaged the enemy post to enable his platoon to move into a more favourable position for attacking the bunker. Shortly afterwards while manoeuvring into a position on the enemy’s right flank in order to support the main coy attack, Capt. Casey’s platoon came under enfilade fire from another enemy bunker. By skilful use of ground and firepower he was able to neutralise this enemy post and at the same time fulfil his task of covering the coy attack. Later in the day the Coy was ordered to withdraw. Just at this time a man from Capt. Casey’s platoon was seriously wounded in close proximity to an enemy position, Capt. Casey, again by skilful use of ground and direction of his available firepower enabled the wounded man to be safely evacuated and his platoon to withdraw without further loss. By his leadership, resource and complete disregard for personal danger Capt. Casey proved a source of inspiration to all ranks under his comd. Capt. Casey commanded a Coy in the Arakan and in the later stages of the Kohima battle. His work throughout has been outstanding.

M.I.D. London Gazette 10 January 1946.

Thomas Casey resided at 67 Hectorage Road, Tonbridge, Kent. He ‘enlisted in 1928, being promoted Corporal in 1930 and Sergeant in 1935. Commissioned early in the War, he was awarded the Military Cross.’ (Obituary included with the lot refers)

Casey served with the 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, and his service during the Second War is highlighted in the Regimental Chronicle:
‘During this period the Battalion continued Combined Operations Training and in February, 1944, entrained for Calcutta to take part in a Combined Operation Exercise called “Porpoise.”

From Calcutta they were diverted to the Arakan, where the Battalion took part in various actions against the Japanese in the Mayu Range. Casualties: 3 Officers and 35 Other Ranks....

In April, 1944, the Battalion left Combined Operations Formation and were transferred to the 7th Indian Division, and moved from the Arakan to Kohima. There the Battalion assisted in the final clearing of the Japanese from Kohima, and continued the pursuit through the jungle towards Mao Songsang on the Kohima-Imphal road.

Casualties: 2 Officers and 30 Other Ranks (approx.)
Awards:
Capt. T. Casey M.C.
Sergeant Green M.M.
Pte. Davies M.M.
Capt. H. J. Smith M.B.E.
R.S.M. Oliver M.B.E.

The Battalion returned to Kohima, where they rested, reformed and trained during the period July to November, 1944. On the 30th November, 1944, commenced what was later to be a 600 miles march - Kohima - Imphal - Tamu - Ganggaw Valley - Irrawaddy, arriving west bank of Irrawaddy early February, 1945. The Battalion, now commanded by Lieut. Colonel T. W. M. Mitchell, was selected to be the leading Battalion in the assault crossing of the 2,000 yards wide River Irrawaddy. “C” Company, commanded by Major T. Casey, M.C., was selected to be the leading Company for the assault crossing. The Company made a successful, silent crossing before first light. The remainder of the Battalion, which consisted of “A” and “D” Companies, came under heavy fire just after first light and were forced to return to the West bank after suffering heavy casualties.

The leading Company of the Battalion consolidated its position on the enemy-held side of the river and remained until reinforced later in the day. The partial success of the Battalion in establishing itself on the East bank resulted in the successful crossing of the remainder of the 7th Indian Division , thus enabling the 17th Indian Division to make its brilliant breakthrough to Meiktela.

Casualties: 4 Officers and 80 Other Ranks (approx.)
Awards:
Pte. Stewart M.M.
Pte. Helsby (deceased) M.M.
Lt. Col T. W. M. Mitchell M.I.D.
Major T. Casey M.I.D.
Major T. A. G. Sprague M.I.D.
Capt. Harvey (Posthumous) M.I.D.’

Casey’s personal account of the river crossing adds the following:

‘We could see the cliffs against the stars and as the beaches drew nearer the tension grew, for we did not know whether a reception committee awaited us or not. One hundred yards, fifty, twenty and we were there.

The men climbed out of the boats very quietly and those detailed formed a shallow bridgehead to protect the remainder of the Coy whilst disembarking. The boats were carried across the beach and laid at the entrance to a chaung at the foot of the cliffs. Our objective was the high ground just above and to the East if the Eastern beach objective.’

Casey led his men to the objectives, dug in, and signalled back for the rest of the Battalion to join them. Despite his success, the Japanese were alerted to the arrival of the next waive of boats and hammered them with machine gun fire. Casey’s men tried to clear Japanese positions with the bayonet, but it was to no avail as they were entrenched in caves in the cliff face. The remainder of Battalion suffered heavily and were beaten back. Casey was eventually relieved by men of the 4th Battalion, 14th Punjabis after an aerial bombardment on the Japanese positions.

After the war Casey served during the Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya, and ‘Major Casey became ill in Kenya, East Africa, where he was employed after he retired from the army. He had expected fly home in April, but it was not to be.

He will long be remembered as a man with a kindly disposition, a great sense of duty with a keen sense of loyalty. In the furtherance of well-being of those under his command he never spared himself.’ (Obituary refers)

Sold with copied research, including photographic images of recipient in uniform, and a typed account of recipient’s personal account of the Irawaddy River Crossing.