Private William Aird, 5 Troop, was wounded during operations in Burma and subsequently awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service [1][2][3].

At Kangaw Hill 170 on 23 January 1945 Private Aird was the bren gunner in a trench which bore the brunt of a fierce Jap night counter attack. 
Early on a grenade landed in the trench inflicting multiple wounds of the back to Pte Aird. He made no mention of his wounds and manned his bren gun awaiting the attack. His trench was continually assaulted for over two hours and every attack repulsed. In the morning 1 enemy officer and 3 other ranks were found dead 3 ft from Pte Aird's bren gun. The position was under spasmodic MMG and mortar fire for five hours. Private Aird completely regardless of his own wounds maintained his gun in action with a selfless courage and devotion to duty that inspired the men with him [2][3].