A VERY RARE SECOND WAR ‘CHINDITS’ SPECIAL FORCES M.M. GROUP WITH A FINE FIGHTING CITATION AWARDED TO BLACK WATCH SERGEANT, A VETERAN OF CRETE AND TOBRUK WHO WAS TWICE WOUNDED IN THE ACT OF WINNING HIS M.M. WHILST COMMANDING HIS PLATOON ON AN OFFENSIVE PATROL IN THE VALLEY EAST OF THE KYSENLEI PASS, BURMA, IN JUNE 1944 “..APPROACHING A VILLAGE HE WAS ENGAGED BY FIRE. THE PADDY ROUND THE VILLAGE WAS THREE FEET UNDER WATER, BUT HE TOOK UP HIS POSITION IN ELEPHANT GRASS AND RETURNED THE FIRE WITH BREN GUNS AND GRENADES FROM A CUP DISCHARGER...” HIS M.M. WAS ONE OF ONLY 88 SUCH AWARDS TO CHINDITS, 3 OF WHICH WERE AWARDED TO MEN OF THE BLACK WATCH

MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R. ‘2752845 SJT. C. MCLUSKEY. BLACK WATCH.’1939-45 STAR, AFRICA STAR, BURMA STAR, DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS

M.M. London Gazette 4 January 1945.

The original recommendation states: ‘On 10 June 1944, Sergeant McCluskey was ordered to take two infantry sections from his platoon and carry out an offensive patrol in the valley east of the Kysenlei Pass. The patrol encountered enemy in the position in an unnamed village near Kontha and came under heavy and accurate fire, which wounded Sergeant McCluskey and caused other casualties in the patrol. In spite of his wound, however, Sergeant McCluskey retained full control of his small force and hotly engaged the enemy, and only when it became apparent that the enemy was present in considerably superior force did he start to organise a withdrawal. This he did with inspiring coolness and disregard for his personal safety going from one section to another and organising the evacuation of our wounded. While engaged on this task, Sergeant McCluskey was again severely wounded, and although in considerable pain, continued to retain full control of his force. Sergeant McCluskey had for some weeks been in command of a platoon and has on many occasions shown himself to be an outstanding leader, while his conduct on 10 June was beyond all praise. He has previously served with distinction in the Carrier Platoon in Crete and Tobruk.’

Charles McCluskey was born in Cumbernauld, Dumbarton on 9 January 1914 and enlisted in the Black Watch in June 1932, direct from the Territorials. Originally posted to the 1st Battalion, he was promoted Lance Corporal on 2 December 1936. Transferring to the 2nd sometime before the outbreak of hostilities, he saw extensive action in the Carrier Platoon in Crete and Tobruk, prior to joining Orde Wingate’s Chindits in Burma in March 1944. Posted back to the UK, he was posted to 8th Infantry holding battalion at Stewarton (Ayrshire) and on 26 February 1945, he married Elizabeth Rae Gilliland at Kilmarnock, the registration noting he was a Sergeant in the Black Watch, engaged on War Service. …………

SEE PDF FOR FULL WRITEUP

Condition GVF minor official correction to last two letters of unit. Sold with copy research, including the recommendation and a copy of ‘Over The Hills and Far Away: A Black Watch Chindit's story Burma 1944’.

A very rare Second War ‘Special Forces’ M.M., one of only 84 awards for the 1944 Chindit campaign (just 4 for 1943), 3 of which were awarded to men of the Black Watch.