Indian Meritorious Service Medal. GVI issue (20781 Hav Hakumat Singh, 24 Mtn. Bty. R.A.)

Note: From 1st August 1939, Indian Mountain Artillery ceased to belong to the Royal Regiment of Artillery, and again formed part of His Majesty's Indian Forces. Thus, dating the award of the IMSM to sometime between 1937-1939

The recipient was an Indian soldier of the Sikh faith who held the rank of Havildar (Sergeant) while serving with the 24th Mountain Battery Royal Artillery

During the Second World War 24th Mountain Battery was a constituent battery of the 20th Mountain Regiment, and served at below following locations / theatres of operations 1939-1945:

- 1939: Quetta, Baluchistan
- 1940: Quetta, Baluchistan
- 1941: Quetta, Baluchistan
- 1942: Waziristan, North West Frontier
- 1943: Peshawar, North West Frontier Province
- 1944: Burma, under higher formation 19th Indian Infantry Division
- 1945: Burma, under higher formation 19th Indian Infantry Division

The 19th Indian Infantry Division, popularly known as 'Dagger Division': The Badge of this unit was a yellow dagger held in a clenched hand on a red background. This Formation served with the 'Fourteenth Army' in Burma & was in the thick of the fighting that led to the Liberation of Burma. It was the 19th Division that after fierce fighting that established the Irrawaddy Bridgehead at Kyaukmyaung which enabled them to drive through & capture Mandalay, where they raised the Union Jack over Fort Dufferin on March 20th 1945. The Dagger Division was under command of Major-General Thomas 'Pete' Wynfor Rees, C.B., C.I.E., D.S.O.*. M.C., a legendary Welsh officer of the Rajputana Rifles of the British Indian Army

Condition: GVF

Code: 24710