Captain J.C. Finlay M.C.

This Officer was separated from his column for 10 days with a platoon. During this time and on his own initiative entirely, he carried out an extensive reconnaissance of enemy defences, installations and ammunition dumps south of INDAW. The reconnaissance was carried out over a period of three days in spite of enemy interference, and the enemy were effectively dealt with. Captain Finlay himself killed three of them.

The report of this patrol led to the total destruction of the ammunition dumps south of INDAW by the Commando Air Force, who reported that it was their most successful raid of the Campaign. This air success was entirely due to this Officer's ground reconnaissance. Although wounded in the head by a grenade, this Officer led his party of 40 back to base without loss.