Sergeant R.A. Rothwell B.E.M.

Operations in Burma, February - May, 1943

This N.C.O. was for a long period Animal Transport Sergeant, in which capacity he raised the standard of mule management to such a degree that all the animals for which he was responsible reached and crossed the IRRAWADDY River, with the exception of a few killed in action. The more credit is due to him in that he had no experience of animals until a short time before the campaign opened, and most of the mules had been out of work until the last moment.

When appointed platoon sergeant of a rifle platoon, he brought the same cheerful enthusiasm to bear as before, showing coolness in action and cheerfulness on the march. During the withdrawal he suffered both from fever and a sprained knee, but uttered no word of complaint and brought his men in successfully.