Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A scarce Second War 1944 ‘Kohima operations’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 H. Beckett, York and Lancaster Regiment, attached 2nd Battalion, The West Yorkshire Regiment, for his gallantry on multiple occasions during the clearing and pursuit of the Japanese from defensive positions along the Kohima-Imphal Road, May - August 1944 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (3658104 A.W.O. Cl. 2. H. Beckett. Y. & L. R.) unit partially officially corrected; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for wear by Spink & Son, lightly cleaned, generally very fine or better (6) £3,000-£4,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 28 June 1945. The original recommendation states: ‘Period 16 May to 15 August 1944. Throughout this period in the Imphal Area Sergeant Beckett has been in command of a platoon and has distinguished himself in every action which his Coy has fought. His dogged courage and skilful leadership have been most noticeable on all occasions. As an example, during an attack on a Japanese position on the Kohima Road his platoon was assigned the task of going ahead of the tanks and covering the party searching the road for anti-tank mines. The platoon immediately came under effective small arms fire but with great determination pursued their task and drove a deep wedge into the enemy’s position, inflicting a number of casualties. This enabled the mine lifters to complete their task and thus allow the tanks to get up onto the feature and complete the destruction of the enemy. The operation was one which called for grit and skilful leadership, both qualities which Sergeant Beckett never fails to display in the highest degree.’ Harold Beckett was a native of Longsight, Lancashire. He served with the York and Lancaster Regiment during the Second War, and was attached to the 2nd Battalion, The West Yorkshire Regiment as part of the 9th Indian Infantry Brigade for service during the Imphal and Kohima operations. Beckett was involved, as British and Indian troops pursued the retreating Japanese down and through hard fought defensive positions on the Kohima-Imphal road. This was a month of bitter hand to hand fighting, starting on 16 May 1944 and ending on 22 June when British and Indian troops from Kohima and Imphal met at Milestone 109, this ending the Siege of Imphal.