All The Victoria Crosses of World War Two

JimHerriot · Jul 9, 2020

Drew5233 said: ↑

Claud Raymond

Rank: Lieutenant

Unit: Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army

Awarded: 12th February 1946

Nationality: British

The citation in the London Gazette of 26th June 1945 gives the following details:

In Burma, on the afternoon of 21st March, 1945, Lieutenant Raymond was second in charge of a small patrol, which was acting in conjunction with a larger detachment of a special force, whose adjective was to obtain information and create a diversion in the area of Taungup, by attacking and destroying isolated enemy posts some 40 miles in advance of an Indian Infantry Brigade, pushing down the road from Letpan to Taungup.

The patrol was landed on the south bank of the Thinganet Chaung, an area known to be held by numerous enemy strong points and gun positions, and marched about five miles inland. As they were nearing the village of Talaku and moving across an open stretch of ground, they were heavily fired on from the slopes of a jungle covered hill by a strongly entrenched enemy detachment.

Lieutenant Raymond immediately charged in the direction of the fire. As he began to climb the hill he was wounded in the right shoulder, but he ignored this wound and continued up the slope firing his rifle from the hip. He had advanced only a few yards further, when a Japanese threw a grenade which burst in his face and most severely wounded him. He fell, but almost immediately picked himself up again, and, in spite of loss of blood from his wounds, which later were to prove fatal, he still continued on, leading his section under intense fire. He was hit yet a third time, his wrist being shattered by what appeared to have been an explosive, bullet. In spite of this third wound, he never wavered but carried on into the enemy position itself and, in the sharp action which followed, was largely responsible for the killing of two Japanese and the wounding of a third.

The remaining Japanese then fled in panic into the jungle, thus leaving the position in our hands, together with much equipment. The position itself was strongly fortified by foxholes and small bunkers and would have proved extremely formidable had not the attack been pressed home with great determination under the courageous leadership of Lieutenant Raymond.

Several other men were wounded during the action and Lieutenant Raymond refused all treatment until they had been attended to, insisting despite the gravity of his injuries, on walking back towards the landing craft in case the delay in treating his wounds and carrying him should endanger the withdrawal of the patrol.

It was not until he had walked nearly a mile that he collapsed and had to allow himself to be carried on an improvised stretcher. Even then he was continually encouraging the other wounded by giving the thumbs up sign and thus undoubtedly helping them to keep cheerful and minimise the extent of their injuries until the landing craft was reached. Soon after he died of his wounds.

The outstanding gallantry, remarkable endurance and fortitude of Lieutenant Raymond, which refused to allow him to collapse, although mortally wounded, was an inspiration to everyone and a major factor in the capture of the strong point. His self sacrifice in refusing attention to his wounds undoubtedly saved the patrol, by allowing it to withdraw in time before the Japanese could bring up fresh forces from neighbouring positions for a counter attack.

Additional Infomation:

Son of Lieutenant Colonel.

Raymond is remembered in Sussex where he grew up with his name on a memorial and a road named after him.

CWGC :: Certificate

Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar
Click to expand...

For your mighty effort with this thread Drew5233,

From "THE BRONZE CROSS - A Tribute to Those who Won the Supreme Award for Valour in the years 1940-45" Historical Text by F. GORDON ROE F.S.A., F.R.Hist.S. Published December 1945.

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

JimHerriot · Jul 9, 2020

Drew5233 said: ↑

Agansing Rai

Rank: Rifleman Acting Naik

Unit: 2nd Gurhka Rifles (Frontier Force), Indian Army

Awarded: 23rd June 1945

Nationality: Nepalese

The citation in the London Gazette of 3rd October 1944 gives the following details:
In Burma on 24th and 25th June, 1944, after fierce fighting, the enemy, with greatly superior forces had captured two posts known as "Water Piquet" and "Mortar Bluff". These posts were well sighted and were mutually supporting and their possession by the enemy threatened our communications.

On the morning of 26th June, 1944, a Company of the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) was ordered to recapture these positions.

After a preliminary artillery concentration, the Company went into the attack but on reaching a false crest about 80 yards from its objective, it was pinned down by heavy and accurate fire from a machine-gun in "Mortar Buff " and a .37 millimetre gun in the jungle, suffering many casualties. Naik Agansing Rai, appreciating that more delay would inevitably result in heavier casualties, at once led his section under withering .fire directly at the machine-gun and, firing as he went, charged the position, himself killing three of the crew of four. Inspired by this cool act of bravery the section surged forward across the bullet swept ground and routed the whole garrison of "Mortar Bluff".

This position was now under intense fire from the .37 millimetre gun in the jungle and from "Water Piquet". Naik Agansing Rai at once advanced towards the gun, his section without hesitation following their gallant leader. Intense fire reduced the section to three men before half the distance had been covered but they pressed on to their objective. Arriving at close range, Naik Agansing Rai killed three of the crew and his men killed the other two. The party then returned to "Mortar Bluff" where the rest of their platoon were forming up for the final assault on "Water Piquet". In the subsequent advance heavy machine-gun fire and showers of grenades from an isolated bunker position caused further casualties. Once more, with indomitable courage, Naik Agansing Rai, covered by his Bren gunner, advanced alone with a grenade in one hand and his Thompson Sub-Machine gun in the other. Through devastating fire he reached the enemy position and with his grenade and bursts from his Thompson Sub-Machine gun killed all four occupants of the bunker.

The enemy, demoralized by this N.C.O.'s calm display of courage and complete contempt for danger, now fled before the onslaught on "Water Piquet" and this position too was captured.

Naik Agansing Rai's magnificent display of initiative, outstanding bravery and gallant leadership, so inspired the rest of the Company that, in spite of heavy casualties, the result of this important action was never in doubt.

Additional Infomation.

Also awarded MM.

Later promoted to the rank of Hon. Captain.

The VC group was sold by the Rai family for £115,000.

The proceeds went towards a planned Trust for Education and Healthcare in Nepal.

Body cremated at Dharan, Burma. Location of Ashes Unknown.
Click to expand...

From "THE BRONZE CROSS - A Tribute to Those who Won the Supreme Award for Valour in the years 1940-45" Historical Text by F. GORDON ROE F.S.A., F.R.Hist.S. Published December 1945.

Faces to names of brave men.

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

JimHerriot · Jul 17, 2020

For Drew5233's mighty effort here.

Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun; All The Victoria Crosses of World War Two

Subadar Netrabahadur Thapa; All The Victoria Crosses of World War Two

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

JimHerriot · Jul 17, 2020

Again, For Drew5233's mighty effort here.

Naik Gian Singh; All The Victoria Crosses of World War Two

Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung; All The Victoria Crosses of World War Two

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

bamboo43 · Jul 17, 2020

Great to see these last two Gurkhas mentioned once again Jim. Bhanbhagta served on Operation Longcloth the year before with No. 4 Column. There are some more images at the foot of this page on my website:

Gurkha Citations

JimHerriot · Jul 17, 2020

For Drew5233's mighty effort here, and as the late chap's poor departed dog's resting place has been in the news only yesterday.

Wing Commander G. P. Gibson; All The Victoria Crosses of World War Two

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

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