Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Second World War Italy operations M.M. group of six awarded to Havildar Sham Singh, 2nd Battalion, 11th Sikh Regiment, who wiped out an enemy machine-gun post with grenades and the bayonet

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (13103 Hav. Sham Singh, Sikh R.), officially impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, generally good very fine (6) £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bahadur Collection of Medals to Sikh Regiments.

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Most of the 39 M.Ms awarded to the 11th Sikh Regiment in the 1939-45 War were in respect of the Burma operations of 1944-45, as a consequence of which the above award for the 2nd Battalion in Italy is a rarity.

M.M. London Gazette 8 March 1945. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘On 4 September 1944, when ‘A’ and ‘D’ Companies were engaged on a two-Company attack on Poggio San Giovanni, Havildar Sham Singh was commanding the leading section of No. 7 Platoon, which was the right forward platoon. The enemy were strongly entrenched in concealed positions on a succession of ridges and were extremely difficult to locate. Havildar Sham Singh throughout the advance moved his section forward, from ridge to ridge, making a most skilful use of ground, until he got himself, unobserved, into a position close under an enemy maching-gun post. He called to his section, threw in three grenades and went in with the bayonet. The dash and determination of his attack completely surprised the Germans, all four of whom were bayonetted and killed by his section.

Not content with this success, he continued forward, leading his section boldly towards the village, keeping himself well ahead of the remainder of his company and showing a splendid example to all ranks. His Company Commander was severely wounded, but the officer in command of the Field Regiment O.P., who was at Company H.Q., has reported that Havildar Sham Singh’s conduct was worthy of the highest praise. He personally states that he saw him many times at the head of his men, fearlessly directing their advance, while always himself in evidence wherever the fighting was fiercest.

His determination to go forward in the face of strong opposition, his bearing and conduct under fire, and his keenness to close with the enemy and use the bayonet were an example to his whole company and to all who saw him. His spirit and dash were most inspiring and the success of the attack was due in no small measure to Havildar Sham Singh’s skill and bravery.’