Indian Distinguished Service Medal. GVI issue (18781 Sep. Man Singh, 1-1 Punjab R.)

Man Singh, son of Chandu Singh, was by ethnicity and faith a Jat Sikh, whose residence address was; Post Office Doda, Mukstar, Ferozepore, Punjab, British India

At the time of performing the deeds for which he was decorated with an 'Immediate' award of the Indian Distinguished Service Medal, he was serving with the 1st Battalion 1st Punjab Regiment, an infantry unit of the British Indian Army

Provenance: Formerly from the collection of IDSM's formed and disposed by the late C. J. Parrett, at Dix Noon & Webb, London, October, 1993

Award verification: The award to Sepoy Man Singh, 1st Battalion 1st Punjab Regiment, was published in the London Gazette issue of, 20 April of 1944, as an award for Burma

The outstanding official recommendation, for an 'Immediate Award', held and accessible at The National Archives (a soft copy will be forwarded to the buyer) in file series is quoted below

Quote,

At Ahkaungbaukywa (Arakan) on the 25th January 1944 he showed the greatest courage and determination. In the assault he was in the fore and personally killed two of the enemy. When his V.C.O. was wounded he caused his evacuation

His platoon captured a bunker. He assisted in the consolidation, killing two more Japanese. One of his duties was to carry his Company Commander’s megaphone. When available he used it himself to shout derision to the enemy and cheers to his comrades. His Company Commander likened him to a fox-terrier. All day he was dashing about, ferreting our Japs, firing an L.M.G. and throwing grenades.

Unquote.

One can only imagine the blood-curdling content and 'strong' language, referred to as the 'Derision' that this brave Sikh soldier, who had 'dropped' at least 4 x Japanese, was shouting through his Company Commander's 'Megaphone' at the soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army. A true Sikh warrior - Sri sat akal!

It is estimated that only 1393 x GVI issue Indian Distinguished Service Medals (of which 2 x were forfeited / cancelled) were awarded for gallantry during the period 1937-1947 (together with 12 x Second Award Bars). Of those awards an estimated 151 x IDSM's were awarded for pre-WW2 North West Frontier of India operations, and 1242 x awards only for Second World War and immediate post-war operations

Condition: About GVF

Code: 23449