Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A superb Second World War Burma operations M.M. pair to Sepoy Ali Gohar Khan, 5th/1st Punjab Regiment: he split open an enemy officer’s head with his own sword, thereby maintaining ‘the fighting traditions of the Hazarawals’

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (13326 Sep., 5-1 Punjab R.), officially impressed naming; India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (13326 Sep., 5-1 Punjab R.) very fine and better (2) £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 3 May 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘On the night 10-11 February 1945, ‘A’ Company harbour was in position on a hill feature approximately 1000 yards N.E. of the village of Letpan on Ramree Island. At 0230 hours 11 February a Japanese Officer leading a small patrol of enemy approached a L.M.G. post of the position. The L.M.G. fired but jammed after one burst, the enemy party threw grenades and started to withdraw. Sepoy Ali Gohar Khan from 10 yards to the right of the L.M.G. post dashed forward firing his sten, this causing the remainder of the enemy to fade away in the darkness, but the officer started to draw his sword. Without hesitation Sepoy Ali Gohar Khan closed with the officer, grappled with him for two or three minutes, wrested his sword from him and finally killed the officer with his own sword by splitting his head open. As a result of his prompt action the enemy officer’s body, equipment and sword were recovered. Sepoy Ali Gohar Khan’s personal bravery with complete disregard for his own safety and his initiative and fine offensive spirit were a great example to all ranks and are a high tribute to the fighting traditions of the Hazarawals’.