Awards to the Indian Army from the Collection of AM Shaw

A Second World War ‘Burma’ M.C., and ‘North West Frontier’ I.D.S.M. group of five awarded to Subadar-Major Gurbachan Singh, 1-11th Sikhs

Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated ‘1945’, unnamed; Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (757 C. Hav. Maj. Gurbachan Singh, 1-11 Sikh R.) lacking brooch bar; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Kurdistan (757 Sepoy Gurbachan Singh, 1-11-Sikh R.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (757 Nk. Gurbachan Singh, 1-11 Sikh R.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (Jemdr. Gurbachan Singh, 1-11 Sikh R.) fine and better (5) £2000-2500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Awards to the Indian Army from the Collection of AM Shaw.

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M.C. London Gazette 1 November 1945.

Recommendation reads: ‘At Abya on the 6 July Sub Gurbachan Singh was the senior VCO of A Coy which was detailed to attack a strongly fortified Japanese position, situated in an isolated Pagoda in the centre of flooded paddy fields. The attack was across 300 yds of open flooded paddy often waist deep in water and swept by shell and M.G. fire. The Coy Comdr., Major R. C. D. Webster was very seriously wounded and the Coy Officer, Lieut. Jogindar Singh, was killed while moving forward to take over command of the Coy. Sub Gurbachan Singh at once took command and endeavoured to lead two platoons round in a flank attack under the covering fire of the leading platoon which was already pinned to the ground. Very heavy casualties were suffered and to save further loss of life the Coy was ordered to withdraw. With complete disregard for his own safety Sub Gurbachan Singh moved from section to section passing orders and cheering and encouraging his men. It took this VCO over 2 hours to successfully collect his Coy together with all their wounded, arms and ammunition and throughout this time he was always to be seen where the fire was hottest and the situation most critical. The gallantry, resolution and complete disregard for his own safety of Sub Gurbachan Singh was an inspiration to all ranks and entirely responsible for the successful extrication of his Coy from an untenable position.’

O.B.I., 2nd Class I.O. No. 7604, awarded 1 January 1946.

I.D.S.M. I.A.O. No. 198 of 1937 for services on the N.W. Frontier of India.

Gurbachan Singh enrolled into the 1/11th Sikh Regiment on 20 November 1921, and was promoted to Jemadar on 1 November 1937. His pre-war service is given thus in the Indian Army List: ‘Kurdistan 1923; N-W Frontier of India 1930; N-W Frontier of India (Mohmand) 1933; North-West Frontier 1937 - I.D.S.M.’ He is, therefore, probably entitled to an additional clasp for ‘Mohmand 1933’.

The operations in which Subadar Gurbachan Singh won his M.C. proved to be the end of the Battalion’s fighting services in the Second World War. It was a fitting postscript to their services that Subadar Gurbachan Singh was chosen to represent the Battalion at the surrender ceremony at Rangooon on 19 September 1945.

With copied research.