Gian Singh (soldier) explained

Gian Singh
Honorific Suffix:VC
Birth Date:1920 10, df=yes
Birth Place:Sahabpur, Punjab, India
Death Place:Jullundur
Serviceyears:1937–1969
Rank:Hon. Captain (Subedar-Major)
Branch:
Unit:15th Punjab Regiment
Sikh Regiment
Battles:World War II
Sino-Indian War
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Awards: Victoria Cross

Gian Singh (5 October 19206 October 1996) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life

Singh was born into a Jat Sikh family in Sahabpur, a village in the Nawanshahr district (now, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district) of eastern Punjab. He enlisted in the British Indian Army in 1937.[1]

Details

He was 24 years old, and a Naik in the 15th Punjab Regiment in the British Indian Army, when during the Burma Campaign 1944–45 of World War II he performed the deeds for which he was awarded the VC. The citation reads:

Singh received a mention in dispatches later that year. He was presented with his Victoria Cross by King George VI, in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 16 October 1945.

Later life

Despite wounds to his leg which left him in pain until his death,[1] Singh refused to be invalided from the Army. After Indian independence in 1947, he transferred to the 11th Sikhs when 15 Punjab was allocated to Pakistan. He regularly visited London to attend reunions of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.[1] According to his son, for many years Singh never discussed the war or his VC action with his family, as he had lost all of his close friends in action.[1]

Singh was promoted to havildar (sergeant), with successive promotions to jemadar (now naib subedar in the Indian Army) on 29 December 1955,[2] followed by promotion to subedar on 21 December 1961.[3] He saw action in both the 1962 Sino-Indian War and in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Promoted to subedar major on 15 June 1967,[4] Singh retired from the army in August 1969 with the honorary rank of captain.[5] He died in 1996.[6]

The medal

Singh's medals, including his Victoria Cross, are held by his son Charanjit Sangha, who lives in Scotland.[1]

Awards

General Service Medal 1947Samanya Seva Medal
Samar Seva StarRaksha MedalIndian Independence Medal20 Years Long Service Medal
9 Years Long Service MedalVictoria Cross1939–45 StarBurma Star
War Medal 1939-1945India Service MedalQueen Elizabeth II Coronation MedalQueen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Wilson . Caroline . 18 September 2023 . Antiques Roadshow: Naik Gian Singh Victoria Cross medal . The Herald . 22 September 2023.
  2. News: Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) . 77 . 21 April 1956 . The Gazette of India.
  3. News: Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) . 23 . 19 January 1963 . The Gazette of India.
  4. News: Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) . 724 . 23 September 1967 . The Gazette of India.
  5. News: Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) . 84 . 15 August 1969 . The Gazette of India.
  6. Web site: Naik Gian Singh VC. We were there. Ministry of Defence. 31 October 2011.