King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) Iraq 1941

[bigjarofwasps]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone tell me what if any gallantry awards this battalion got during their time in Iraq in 1941.

Many thanks in advance.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Can any members assist ? Mervyn

[bigjarofwasps]

To anyone who might be interested, I contacted the Regimental Museum. They had the following to say....

"Sadly there is no nominal roll for all those who deployed to Iraq. The entire battalion, which was smaller than it's required strength, did not deploy for various reasons, such as health reasons.

Someone somewhere would have had a list of all of those deploying, but that's probably long gone.

There were gallantry medals awarded to the King's Own for the action in Iraq, and the DCM and MM awards are recorded in another of our pubilcations Heroric deeds.

Company Sergeant Major Alfred Walker was awarded the DCM

Private John McDermott was awarded the Military Medal

Captain Patrick John Henry Weir was awarded the Military Cross.

There was no campaign medal/Star for the action in Iraq which was viewed as a civil action, rather than campaign fighting".

[bigjarofwasps]

No. 3711502 Private John McDermott, The King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) (Blackpool). London Gazette 14th August 1941.

Edited August 31, 2014 by bigjarofwasps

[bigjarofwasps]

Capt Weir was awarded his MC for covering the withdrawal of his company with a Bren gun, although wounded until he collapsed, during the battle of Sin-El-Dhibban 6th May 1941.

CSM Walker was awarded his DCM, for taking command of his company, when his officer had to take command of the battalion following the CO being wounded 21st May 1941.

Pte McDermott awarded his MM for carrying ammunition up to the mortar detachment, although wounded, during battle of Sin-El-Dhibban 6th May 1941.