| Surname: | MacDonald |
| Initials: | J |
| Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Army Number: | 3323088 |
| Notes: | CMP (I). From Loch Maddy. Enlisted Highland Light Infantry, transferred to CMP. 15/4/46 discharged. John MacDonald. Shown in London Gazette as Highland Light Infantry. Details are also shown in Provost Service ALFSEA WO203/YY9 Page 69 Honours & Awards. Arakan Maj C P Kaye. West Yorks Regiment. During the Burma campaign when 5 Indian Div was on the Arakan the Japs cut the supply route to the 5th and 7th Indian Divs. Withdrawing ambulances and incoming supply lorries were deserted by their driver when mortar bombs began to fall on the road in the Briatco Bridge Area. L/Cpl Breeze of the West Yorks Regiment and L/Cpl Macdonald of the HLI, both of the Provost unit were then on duty. They ignored the fire and drove each of the deserted vehicles to a place of safety. I had the honour of writing citations for them and each was awarded the Military Medal. The other ranks of the 5 Indian Div Pro Unit were drawn from the West York's of 9 Brigade, the Worcestershire Regt of 29 Brigade and the HLI from 10 Brigade. They wore their own regimental cap badge with the CMP(I) slip on on the epaulettes and the usual red top and armband. Info from Maj R A J Tyler MBE card index. 5 Indian Div Pro Unit War Diary WO172/4289. 1/6/44, 21.00hrs, Sub, K S Rawat, 113 Ind Mob Workshops reported case of pilfering of petrol in Sibagar Area to L/Cpl MacDonald MM and L/Cpl Elliott. Sepoy Bela Ram placed in close arrest at 21.30 hrs, civilian placed in civil jail. Statement of evidence obtained. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | Military Medal (London Gazette: 36574 Page: 2963 June 22, 1944) |
| Citation: | CMP (I). Military Medal Citation.Burma In the Arakan on the evening 17th February 1944 a congestion of vehicles was caused at Briatco Bridge through the area being under heavy fire and from approaching enemy patrols No 2322088 L/Cpl J Macdonald was on MP patrol in the area. Ignoring the fire completely he assisted in the driving away one at a time 8 ambulance cars of wounded to 15 CCS. After evacuating the wounded he showed great courage and determination in returning on several occasions to the area under fire to recover supply vehicles containing rations. This NCO's courageous action saved many valuable vehicles and enabled a number of casualties to reach a CCS.Awarded an immediate MM recommended by Captain J Glover OC Pro Unit 5th Indian Division and Major C P Kaye APM 5th Indian Div. National Archive WO 373/32. |