Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Sergeant

Army Number : 4861386

Unit : 7th Bn

Biography :

Enlisted 15.3.1940. Served in 7th Bn The Leicestershire Regiment during World War Two. Awarded the M.M. for retrieving a wounded soldier at Kusanlai Pass in Burma on 21.5.1944 while serving as a Sergeant in 74 Column 7th Leicesters during the 2nd Chindit Expedition (L.G. 5.10.1944). Released Class 'A' 25.2.1946 and Class 'Z' (T) Army Res 2.6.1946.

His medals were sold by Dix Noonan Webb in December 2018 and they added: Footnote
M.M. London Gazette 5 October 1944:

Recommended by Lieut. J. K. Flowers, R.A., Platoon Commander, and endorsed by Major J. R. Lockett, Commanding 74 Column, 7th Bn. The Leicestershire Regt., 28th May 1944.

‘This NCO was Platoon Sergeant of a Platoon which took the major part in a successful ambush of the enemy in the Kusanlai Pass on 21 May 1944.

Throughout the engagement, which lasted about 2 and a half hours, this NCO displayed the highest degree of coolness under fire, initiative and courage. A particular instance may be cited:-

When the two forward sections were withdrawn under orders to the feature on which the remaining two sections were established, it was discovered that a wounded corporal had been left behind. By this time the enemy had established themselves on a feature less than 100 yards in front, and were directing continual small arms fire and mortar on to the vacated position. Sgt. Eden immediately volunteered to go forward to bring back the wounded man, but found himself unable to carry him back. He then returned to the held position and collecting three men, again went forward and brought back the wounded NCO who subsequently died. During the whole episode, Sgt. Eden was under continual close range fire. His general behaviour had the greatest possible moral and steadying effect on the whole platoon.’

In reporting this action the regimental history of The Royal Leicestershire Regiment adds: ‘Attached to the citation now on record in the War Office are two pages of squared paper from a field service message book, written in pencil and signed ‘J. K. Flowers, Lt. R.A., Pln Comdr.’ Written on the back of one torn and stained sheet is the following, also in pencil”

Capt. Coleman,
Cut the superfluity out and rewrite it. I will sign it when I come in next. We must try and get it out from here.
J.G.L.

From these scraps of paper springs to life the atmosphere of that place at that time. One feels the urgency and tenseness of the situation deep in the jungle. Nothing was, however, cut out. The officially recorded citation bearing the signature of J. G. Lockett, Major, Comd. 74 Column, 7th Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment, and of three generals in ascending seniority, is still the same, word for word, as the pages from Flowers’ message book.’

The regimental history continues: ‘In August 1944, the long-range penetration task completed, the 7th Battalion’s decimated columns flew out from Myitkyina to Dinjan in North Assam. No history of the Battalion would be complete without a reference to the magnificent way in which the tired, sick and emaciated men marched into that camp. Their bearing, despite being mostly ill with dysentery, malaria, jungle sores and skin disorders after months of under-nourishment, brought forth the warmest praise from the high-ranking personages who had flown east from G.H.Q. On touching down on this paddy airstrip in Assam, the C.O. and Column officers had made it clear that all ranks would “march in as Tigers”. To those who were not there, or to those who come after, it may appear that such an order savoured of jingoism. But so deeply had the traditional sense of discipline been instilled, and so great was the men’s regimental pride, that, on being dismissed the parade and almost collapsing on to the bamboo charpoys laid out alongside the runway, all and sundry raised themselves on one elbow to watch eagerly the arrival of fresh aircraft loads from other formations, criticising freely and without reserve the various standards of marching-in as between regiments. Having satisfied themselves that no other regiment had ‘seen them off’, then, and only then, did these sick, weary men seek sleep.’

Period of Service : 1940-46

Conflicts : WW2

Places Served : England, India, Burma