CITATION FOR THE AWARD OF THE VICTORIA CROSS TO
CAPTAIN M J C ALLMAND VC
His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the VICTORIA CROSS to Lieutenant (acting Captain) M J C Allmand IAC, attached 6th Gurkha Rifles. Captain Allmand was commanding the leading platoon of a company of the 6th Gurkha Rifles in Burma on 11 June 1944 when the Battalion was ordered to attack Pin Hmi Road Bridge. The enemy had already succeeded in holding up the advance at this point for twenty-four hours. The approach to the bridge was very narrow as the road was banked up and low lying land on either side was swampy and covered in jungle. The Japanese, who were dug in along the banks of the road and in the jungle with machine guns and small arms, were putting up desperate resistance. As the platoon came within twenty yards of the bridge, the enemy opened heavy and accurate fire inflicting severe casualties and forcing the men to seek cover. Captain Allmand, with utmost gallantry, charged on by himself hurling grenades into the enemy gun position and killing three Japanese with his kukri. Inspired by the splendid example of their platoon commander, the surviving men followed and captured the objective.Two days later Captain Allmand, owing to casualties among the officers, took command of the Company. Dashing thirty yards ahead through long grass and marshy ground swept by machine gun fire, he personally killed a number of enemy machine gunners and successfully led his men on to a ridge of high ground they had been ordered to seize.
Again on 23rd June, in the final attack on the railway bridge at Mogaung, Captain Allmand, although suffering from trench foot which made it difficult for him to walk, moved forward alone through deep mud and shell holes and charged a Japanese machine gun nest single-handed but was mortally wounded and died shortly afterwards. The superb gallantry, outstanding leadership and protracted heroism of this very brave officer were a wonderful example to the whole Battalion and in the highest traditions of the Regiment.