Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A superb ‘Special Forces’ Second War 1943 ‘Immediate’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant W. Robinson, Durham Light Infantry, attached 143 Special Service Company, who led a section of three men during a behind the lines amphibious raid, carried out under the cover of darkness at Maungdaw, 16-17 May 1943. The plan went awry, and Robinson found himself faced by a bayonet charge from 20 Japanese soldiers. He decided to stand his ground and fight it out. In the brutal hand to hand fighting that ensued, ‘two of Sergeant Robinson’s men were bayoneted but their assailants in each case had their skulls battered in by other members of the party. It finally ended in unarmed combat which resulted in two more of the enemy being destroyed by various methods, making a grand total in that affair of twelve or thirteen dead Japs and only two survivors.’ Robinson, who, ‘when he wasn’t killing Japs... was laughing in sheer enjoyment’, managed to extricate his wounded men by Sampan down the Naf River to Teknaf in the early hours of the following morning Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (4264669 Sjt. W. Robinson. Durh. L.I.) mounted on investiture pin; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, campaign awards mounted as worn, with a portrait photograph of recipient in uniform - reverse of which is annotated ‘This is for you Mother’, very fine (5) £14,000-£18,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 22 July 1943: ‘Sergeant Robinson commanded a section of three men who were part of a covering party on an R.E. enterprise at Maungdaw (then in enemy hands) on the night 16/17 May 1943. It was Sgt. Robinson’s party who withstood an enemy bayonet charge after the enemy had sustained heavy causalities in their MG positions. The bayonet charge was made with the greatest ferocity and was met by firing from the hip with LMG’s. In the subsequent proceedings two of Sgt. Robinson’s men were bayoneted but their assailants in each case had their skulls battered in by other members of the party. It finally ended in unarmed combat which resulted in two more of the enemy being destroyed by various methods, making a grand total in that affair of twelve or thirteen dead Japs and only two survivors. At that stage Robinson was ordered to embark, but as the launch had been destroyed he took his wounded with him and searched for and subsequently found a sampan in which they all reached Teknaf in safety. Sgt. Robinson’s part in the operation was simply outstanding. When he wasn’t killing Japs he was laughing in sheer enjoyment, and the reliance of his men in his personal courage, quick appreciation and decisive action ensures the success of any future enterprise under his command.’ William Robinson initially served with the Durham Light infantry during the Second War, prior to being attached to 143 Special Service Company for operations behind enemy lines in Burma. The official report of the night action at Maungdaw, 16/17 May 1943, offers further insight into Robinson’s remarkable bravery: ‘A party composed of R.E.’s I.W.T. personnel and some volunteers from 143 Special Service Company proceeded to Maungdaw on 16 May with the object of retrieving some R.E. folding boats. The party from 143 S.S. Coy was to protect the R.E.’s and to cause a diversion if needed. The composition was as follows: Officer i/c Party Lieut. G. F. Kirkland. No. 1 Section Sgt. Robinson Cpl. Weatherhead Pte. Thorne (Bren Gun) L/C Kelly. No. 2 Section Sgt. McGeachy Cpl. Robinson Pte. Bain Pte. Hill Cpl. Dunne and Pte. McQueen were detailed to remain as escort to the launch with one Bren Gun and L/C Hindmarch as escort to Lieut. Kirkland. The entire party entered Maungdaw creek in an R Boat at 2020hrs and Lieut. Kirkland and his two sections landed at the Western Jetty. The R Boat went upstream towards the folding boats lying just beyond the F.S.D. Jetty. All was quiet on shore. Kirkland and No. 1 Section went along the road that leads behind the B.O.C. Building while No. 2 Section went along the jetty road. Both sections met at the road junction N.E. of the B.O.C. Building. Almost at once firing was heard from the trees to the N.W. of them. Medium and light automatics were identified and fire was obviously aimed at the R. Boat in the creak. It was afterwards learnt that the first burst struck Cpl. Dunne in the chest before he had time to fire a single shot. Kirkland ordered No. 2 Section to make for the enemy, accompanying this section himself and Sgt. Robinson to follow at a short interval. Sgt. McGeachy made his way down the road parallel to the water, crossed a small concrete bridge and engaged the enemy guns. As soon as the enemy L.M.G. was located definitely the Bren gunner fired at it and the enemy gun did not fire again. The medium M.G. turned from the launch on to McGeachy’s section. Kirkland considered this too big a task for four men and sent Hindmarch to bring up the other section intending to outflank the enemy gun. Hindmarch returned later and said he could not find Sgt. Robinson. Sgt. McGeachy’s section crawled to within forty yards of the M.M.G. which was firing red tracer and had a big muzzle flash. Again Pte. Hill with a loud chuckle, fired a complete magazine. The M.M.G. did not fire again. At once three men were seen making for the original enemy M.M.G. position. Sgt. McGeachy fired TS.M.G. and three dropped. They did not move again. At this point shouting and firing were heard from the direction of the road junction previously mentioned and where Sgt. Robinson had last been seen. Since no more fire was being directed on the launch Kirkland ordered McGeachy’s section to return with him to the road junction. Mortar bombs were observed falling in the water - one so near that Kirkland thought that it must have damaged the R Boat’s prop and rudder. They made along the road and Bain, who was leading, reported that he had seen men on the road to his left and that fire was still going between them and Sgt. Robinson. Two toots were heard on the R Boat’s horn and Kirkland figured that something was amiss. Mortars were firing on the water and the northern bank of the creek. The R Boat was in mid stream mid way between F.S.D. and Western Jetties. Kirkland and McGeachy’s section made for the water’s edge and the R Boat. While they were swimming out they had to scuttle their weapons despite the fact that they thought that they would have to fight to get Robinson away, because of the danger of drowning. They reached the R Boat and Cpl Robinson told them it was U/S and ordered them to make for the northern bank following himself with McQueen. The account of Sgt. Robinson’s action is as follows: Just after Kirkland and McGeachy left Robinson the latter observed fifteen to twenty Japs coming down the road. Despite orders and the fact that he was greatly outnumbered, Sgt. Robinson appreciated that this new development threatened not only McGeachy’s rear but also the operation in general. He therefore decided to stand his ground and fight it out. The enemy with fixed bayonets came down the centre of the road, broke into a double and the tallest of whom was leading shouting ‘Charge’ in English. The Bren gunner (Thorne) sprayed the road with one magazine firing from the hip and the leading five men dropped. The remainder made for Robinson’s section and the following events, though not necessarily chronologically correct, followed. Two enemy attacked Sgt. Robinson. First one Robinson shot and he dropped. Second turned on Bren gunner and before he could fire had scratched his ey...