The Richard Magor Collection of Medals Relating to India and Africa, and other Fine Awards

A Second World War M.M. for the historic ‘Defence of Kohima’ awarded to Sweeper Jia Lal, 75th Indian Field Ambulance, Indian Army Medical Corps

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (227 Swpr. Jia Lal, I.A.M.C.) nearly extremely fine £600-800

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.M. London Gazette 8 February 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘This Sweeper has served for over 3 years in the field. He has been employed for the last seven months in the Advanced Dressing Stations which the unit has operated and has on several occasions volunteered as a stretcher bearer when there has been a shortage of stretcher bearers for the evacuation of casualties. He was the only Sweeper in the composite A.D.S. operated on the Summer House Hill at Kohima when approximately 350 casualties were held for a period of two weeks until the relief of the garrison on the 20th April 1944.

During this siege the A.D.S. area was repeatedly subjected to mortar, artillery fire and to sniping, resulting in the loss of life of a high percentage of the medical staff and the wounded already under treatment. On this, as on other occasions, his cheerful willingness to perform other than his normal duties and his tireless consideration in administering to the needs of the casualties, were a fine example of courage and devotion to duty.’