A Second World War 'Burma operations - Battle of Legyi' stretcher bearer's M.M. group of...

A Second World War ‘Burma operations - Battle of Legyi’ stretcher bearer’s M.M. group of six awarded to Private H. C. Jesty, 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment Military Medal, G.VI.R. (5723746 Pte. H. C. Jesty. Dorset. R.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (5723746 Pte. H. C. Jesty. M.M. R.A.M.C.) edge bruising, otherwise generally very fine or better (6) £1,400-£1,800 --- M.M. London Gazette 17 January 1946. The original recommendation states: ‘Burma 16 Feb - 15 May 1945. During the period under review, Pte. Jesty has been a stretcher bearer in ‘C’ Coy, 2 Dorset. Throughout the first ten weeks of the period the Bn. was engaged continuously in active operations in the Mandalay Plain. Pte. Jesty took part in every battle, and consistently displayed outstanding personal gallantry and devotion to duty. At Legyi on 5 Apr., a number of Japanese infiltrated into the Bn. perimeter during the night, and harassed some posns, including the R.A.P. When two Japanese attacked the R.A.P Pte. Jesty himself killed one with his revolver at very close range, the other being subsequently dealt with by a neighbouring sec. of ‘C’ Coy. Pte. Jesty displayed the utmost coolness, and his prompt action undoubtedly prevented cas. in the R.A.P. At Leygi on 11 Apr., Pte. Jesty’s Coy posn. was heavily shelled. Pte. Jesty attended cas. spread over a wide area, quite regardless of his personal safety, at a time when it was courting death to move from the comparative cover of a slit trench. In more than one trench Pte. Jesty was confronted with the task of not only attending the cas., but of encouraging and administering to other occupants whose nerves had been affected by the severe shelling. He succeeded in this most difficult task by sheer force of character and determination. On these and many other occasions Pte. Jesty’s high courage, skill, initiative and devotion to duty were an example to his fellow stretcher bearers, and a great comfort to casualties. His conduct at all times would have been worthy of a soldier many times his senior in rank, and for a private solider was quite outstanding.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 10 January 1946 [Burma]. Henry Charles Jesty served as a stretcher bearer with ‘C’ Company, 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment in Burma, February - May 1945.