| 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.
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]
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.
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]
Singh's medals, including his Victoria Cross, are held by his son Charanjit Sangha, who lives in Scotland.[1]
| General Service Medal 1947 | Samanya Seva Medal | ||
| Samar Seva Star | Raksha Medal | Indian Independence Medal | 20 Years Long Service Medal |
| 9 Years Long Service Medal | Victoria Cross | 1939–45 Star | Burma Star |
| War Medal 1939-1945 | India Service Medal | Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal | Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal |