33887 Major Norman Russell GILES, DSO, BW attd RIASC at Kohima

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by Skoyen89, Nov 14, 2022.

  1. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Hi

    In several accounts there is mention of an RIASC Officer leading troops from the reinforcement centre and convalescent centre in the early defence of Kohima. I have found the citation for Major Norman Russell Giles of the Black Watch who was awarded the DSO (the recommendation was originally for the MC but it was pushed up to DSO in the approval process). However I am finding it hard to find much more about this officer apart from his number - 33887 - and the fact he came from Newcastle.

    There are a small number of London Gazette entries which show that in August 1940 he was with the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry and already a Major but at his own request reverts to the rank of Lieutenant whilst employed during the current emergency. But by 1944 he was back up to Major again with seniority from 27 Feb 1943.

    Then in 1950 he is shown a coupe of times with both the DSO and MC although I cannot find any recommendation for the MC at Kew. He took up a Short Service Commission in 1949 in the Black Watch and relinquished this in 1955 with the rank of Honorary Lt Col.

    The DSO recommendation tells us he was seriously wounded at Kohima - on 10 April according to the Casualty List and there is a pencilled comment that suggests he may have been in the LG of 17 Dec 1943 for something, perhaps a MID.

    In all an unusual career but very little about the man appears - can anyone else find more than I have been able to??
     
  2. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    It looks like the pencil comment I refer to above about a previous LG mention says that he reverted to Major from 27 April 1943 and that it was in the LG of 17 Dec 1943.

    Giles Norman Russell DSO recommendation .jpg
     
    dbf likes this.
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    For the record, listing the LG entries referred to above.

    London Gazette : 3 September 1940 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34936/supplement/5339/data.pdf
    Ox. & Bucks. L.I.
    Maj. N. R. Giles (33887) at his own request, reverts to the rank of Lt. whilst empld. during the present emergency. 10th Aug. 1940.

    London Gazette : 5 October 1944
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36730/supplement/4570/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma:—
    The Distinguished Service Order.
    Major Norman Russell Giles (33887), The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) (Newcastle).

    London Gazette : 3 March 1950
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38852/supplement/1090/data.pdf
    Black Watch.
    Short Serv. Commn.
    Maj. Norman Russell GILES, D.S.O., M.C. (33887), from T.A. Res. of Offrs., to be Maj., 17th Dec. 1949, with seniority 27th Feb. 1943.

    London Gazette : 26 October 1954
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40307/supplement/6050/data.pdf
    The QUEEN has been, graciously pleased to confer the award of the Territorial Efficiency Decoration upon the following officers :—
    B.W.
    Maj. N. R. GILES, D.S.O., M.C. (33887) (now S.S.R.C.).

    London Gazette : 16 December 1955
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40655/supplement/7065/data.pdf
    B.W.
    REGULAR ARMY.
    Short Serv. Commn.
    Maj. N. R. GILES, D.S.O., T.D. (33887) (Emp. List 4), relinquishes his commn. on completion of service, 17th Dec. 1955, and is granted the hon. rank of Lt.-Col.
     
  4. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Thanks dbf - they were all the LG entries I could find.

    There was a brief mention that he had been awarded the DSO in the Newcastle Journal of 6 Oct 1944 but no further details. The other mention was in the Berwickshire News and General Advertiser of 8 Dec 1925 which states that Norman Russell Giles is gazetted 2Lt in 4th Battalion of the KOSB under the news column for Duns.
     
  5. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

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