A Second World War Burma operations Immediate I.D.S.M. awarded to Sepoy Sajawal Shah, 1/1st Punjab Regiment

Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (25441 Sep. Sajawal Shah, 1-1 Punjab R) complete with top suspension brooch, nearly extremely fine £1,000-£1,200

I.D.S.M. London Gazette 16 November 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘On 27th August 1944, No. 25441 Sepoy Sajawal Shah was a member of a platoon fighting patrol which was sent to cut the road behind a strong enemy position around the 88 milestone Tiddim Road. The platoon seized a feature below the road but came under heavy fire from higher ground. One enemy LMG post in particular limited the movement of the platoon.

Sepoy Sajawal Shah volunteered to silence this LMG. He advanced to within ten yards of the enemy bunker after a crawl of about a hundred yards. He threw a grenade into the bunker but having disclosed his presence immediately became the target for about three other enemy posts. Undeterred by the hail of fire Sepoy Sajawal Shah again raised himself to peer into the bunker. He observed that he had killed the LMG gunner but that another of the enemy was about to man the LMG. This Jap he quickly despatched with his rifle and seizing the Jap LMG he withdrew towards his platoon all the time under fire from other enemy posts. As a result of his brave and gallant action Sepoy Sajawal Shah enabled the platoon to consolidate and maintain the position.

So embarrassed was the enemy by this threat to his rear that he hurriedly abandoned this very strong position during the night leaving a great deal of equipment and many dead.’

Sepoy Sajawal Shah was a Hazara Mussalman from the village of Peran, in the Mansera district of Hazara.