I have verified the award of MM. Awarded at Sittang Bridge 1942. What procedure/ etiquette would take place later to enable the recipient to receive his medal? Thank you, in advance. Veronica.
Hi Veronica, I doubt there would have been a set procedure during times of war. As you know, with the Sittang Bridge incident the level of confusion was great and any awards and the timescale for receiving the actual medal could well have been a good deal longer than usual. I can give you the pathway for Gallantry awards handed out for Operation Longcloth as some sort of guide. Not really sure if this will help as a guide or not? Operation Longcloth was from February-June 1943. Awards were considered by the relevant commanders after the men returned to India. Most of these were officially approved by the King on recommendation from Field Marshall Viscount Wavell and announced in the London Gazette in late December 1943. The medals were given out by Wavell at a special ceremony in Karachi on the 13th March 1944. See attached photo of some of the recipients. Seems quite a long period to wait to me.
