Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second World War Burma operations I.D.S.M. group of five awarded to Naik Mohd. Yaqub, 1-16 Punjab Regiment, who, though wounded, carried out an effective grenade attack in the face of heavy odds

Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (9716 Nk. Mohd. Yaqub, 1-16 Punjab R.), officially impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal 1939-45, generally very fine or better (5) £700-900

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

‘On 24 July 1944, Naik Mohd. Yaqub was commanding a section in the leading Platoon of ‘D’ Company, which made contact with the enemy on Brown Pimple. This feature, which dominated the Palil-Tamu road, was held in considerable strength by the enemy, and had been fully prepared to withstand assault. The natural strength of the feature had been augmented by well concealed dug outs, barbed wire and booby traps. It was some 200 feet above the line of the advance which was along a narrow knife edge. The whole area over which the attack had to be made was covered by the fire of automatic weapons, grenades and mortars. The front of the Japanese position was in addition protected by well sited covering posts. Naik Mohd. Yaqub was wounded by a grenade in the initial stage of contact with the enemy. He disregarded his wounds and continued to lead his section bravely and boldly. He crawled forward under intense fire, himself clearing two enemy trenches, and overcame the enemy covering positions from which they had been hurling grenades. In so doing he was able to gain a foot hold on the western edge of the enemy position whence he brought L.M.G. fire on the flank of the enemy position. Naik Mohd. Yaqub, by his fearless leadership, gallantry and great devotion to duty, inspite of a painful wound, greatly aided in the furtherance of the general plan by capturing and maintaining this important foot hold in the face of intense enemy opposition.’

Mohd. Yaqub was from the village of Sakanderpur, in Jhelun district.