Donald Easten
Donald Friswell Easten MC was a British Army officer of the Royal West Kents who was awarded the Military Cross for his actions during the defence of Kohima from Japanese attack during the Second World War. In retirement he bred Hampshire Down sheep and was Master of Hounds to both the Colchester Garrison Beagles and the Eastern Counties Otter Hounds.
Second World War service
Originally a clerk working in the City of London, Easten joined the Territorial Army, the part-time reserve force of the British Army, in 1938. He was commissioned from the Honourable Artillery Company as a second lieutenant into the Queen's Own [Royal West Kent Regiment] on 14 January 1940, over four months after the outbreak of the Second World War. His service number was 113515. Joining the 4th Battalion of his regiment in 1942, Easten was in North Africa and Iraq before reaching India in 1943.By 1944, as a captain, Easten was commanding D Company of the 4th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. On 5 April 1944, as the Japanese Army laid siege to Kohima, his company led the 161st Indian Infantry Brigade convoy as it tried to re-enter the village. Despite being recommended for an immediate award on 10 May 1944, Easten was not awarded the Military Cross until 8 February 1945. His award was for bravery both in the Arakan from 16 to 23 March and during the Battle of Kohima from 7 to 8 April 1944. On both occasions he showed "complete disregard for his own safety". On 9 April 1944, one of Easten's soldiers, Lance Corporal John Harman, was shot while performing actions that caused him to later be awarded the Victoria Cross. On seeing Harman fall, Easten ran to him and managed to pull him into a trench, only for him to die in Easten's arms.
At the end of the war, Easten was Mentioned in Dispatches for gallant and distinguished service during the Burma campaign.