Distinguished Conduct Medal GVIR (827399 SJT. W. SARGENT. R.A.)
William Sargent was from Edinburgh. He enlisted with the Royal Artillery in 1933 and was awarded the DCM (LG 8.2.45) for Kennedy Peak on 11.3.1944 serving with 129 (Lowland) Field Regt.
The 129 (Lowland) Field Regiment was posted to Burma in August 1942, moving to Chittagong in Burma in November that year. Seeing no action there it was withdrawn on 10 January 1943 and moved to Imphal where it fell under the 17th Indian Division which was covering the construction of the Imphal-Tiddim road. 17th Division was skirmishing from Kennedy Peak towards Fort White with a battery of 129 Jungle Field Regiment (Sargent). The guns were constantly in action supporting infantry patrols, but enemy strength in the area began to increase as a prelude to Operation U-Go.
U-Go was launched in March 1944 with the aim of cutting off the 17th Division. The decision to withdraw from Tiddim came too late."
The recommendation for the award of the DCM read as follows:
"An outstanding example of courage and devotion to duty and an inspiration to all ranks. For 20 consecutive days the Battery in which Sgt Sargent was No.1 of a 25 pdr. gun was subjected to periods of heavy shelling both by day and night causing casualties. Sgt Sargent's gun was straddled on many occasions and his position finally hit. Throughout this whole period Sgt Sargent showed complete indifference to enemy shell fire and by his example of continued fearlessness exerted a most encouraging and steadying influence on the whole Battery under trying circumstances."
He was Mentioned in Dispatches in the LG 4 April 1953 for gallant and distinguished service in Malaya. Medically discharged in March 1957
Medal is in good condition unless otherwise indicated. Sold with some copied research.
