Military Medal Awarded in Lieu of MID: 6411812 William Gilbert LEECH, 9 Royal Sussex Regiment

An unusual situation has been presented to me. The London Gazette Supplement of 21st February 1950, 38847, p 961 has Sgt 6411812 William Gilbert Leech shows a Military Medal being awarded in lieu of a Mention -in -Despatches, originally published January 1946. The reference is to a period in Burma with the Royal Sussex Rgt between 10th November 1944 to 15th February 1945.
I can find nothing in the National Archives so far, but it looks as if somebody somewhere has made some representations about an upgrade but, even the original MID seems to have come late.

The file below is from the Gazette.

 

Has anybody any ideas where this citation could be found. It seems an odd case.

 

I could not find anything on Leech I'm afraid.

 

Bamboo, Thanks. It seems a rather unusual case. I am tempted to think that at some point, after the war, a senior officer realised that Sgt Leech was due something more than a MID and made representations to the military authorities and that after several years of contemplation, the upgrade was made. Any ideas where further searches could be made?

 

Possibly additional evidence/witnesses had come to light that allowed the award of the superior medal

 

I don't I'm afraid. In my research into the POWs of Rangoon Jail, I am aware that two men received subsequent MMs for their services whilst prisoners. These were received three years after the war, but without any citation that I can find.

 

But,Robert,Where should one look for all the paperwork?

 

Well I'd start with the Royal Sussex Regiment Heritage Project run by the West Sussex Record Office - when they reopen again to the public.

 

Thank you.

 

Thinking about the above advice,I truly doubt the WSxRO will have more than I already have in my collection. Richard Buckmans excellent book and CD with a Royal Sx Honours and Awards does not mention this one.

 

"The RSR Archive and Library are held at the West Sussex Record Office. They consist of more than 30,000 items, including nominal rolls, enlistment books, battalion orders, unit war diaries, service papers, personal diaries, correspondence, photographs, audio-visual material, newspaper cuttings, regimental journals and printed books."
The Heritage Project financed by the National Lottery includes digitisation and cataloguing on line

 

Hmm,Richard Buckman worked with them when researching his book....I dont hold out a lot of hope...