Lieutenant CLAUD RAYMOND

The following details are given in the London Gazette of June 26th, 1945:- In Burma, on 21st March, 1945, Lieutenant Raymond was second in command of a small patrol in the area of Taungup, an area known to be held by numerous enemy strongpoints. As the patrol was moving across an open stretch of ground, it was heavily fired on by an enemy detachment. Lieutenant Raymond immediately charged in the direction of the fire. He was soon twice wounded, but in spite of loss of blood from his wounds, which were later to prove fatal, he continued leading his section under intense fire. In the action which followed, although hit yet a third time, he was largely responsible for the killing of two Japanese and the wounding of a third. The remaining Japanese then fled in panic into the jungle. The position would have proved extremely formidable had not the attack been pressed home with great determination under the courageous leadership of Lieutenant Raymond. The outstanding gallantry, remarkable endurance and fortitude of this officer, which refused to allow him to collapse although mortally wounded was an inspiration to everyone and a major factor in the capture of the strongpoint. His self-sacrifice in refusing attention to his wounds undoubtedly saved the patrol, by allowing it to withdraw in time before the Japanese could bring up fresh forces from neighbouring positions for a counter-attack.