The Collection of British Orders, Decorations and Medals formed by the late Fred Rockwood

A Second World War Burma operations I.D.S.M. awarded to Acting Havildar Sewa Singh, 4-7th Rajputs

Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (14716 Nk. (A.-Hav.) Sewa Singh, 4-7 Rajput R.), good very fine £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of British Orders, Decorations and Medals formed by the late Fred Rockwood.

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I.D.S.M. London Gazette 18 May 1944. The original recommendation for an immediate states:

‘On 23 February 1944, this N.C.O. was with ‘A’ Company which had succeeded in establishing itself across the main Hgakyedauk Pass Road at the Ostrich feature behind the enemy occupied point 1070 feature in the Arakan.

The dominant portion of the Ostrich feature, however still, remained in enemy hands, and prevented the sappers clearing the road. The Company made two attempts with a platoon to outflank the enemy position, both of which failed owing to the precipitous nature of the feature and the dense jungle, and the shower of grenades which greeted each assault. At about 1700 hours, as a result of further recces, a narrow path was discovered along a crest leading towards the enemy position. This path was so narrow, running along a knife edge, that if used the attack would have to be put in in single file. It was also getting close to darkness and there was no time to organise any form of fire support programme.

The Company Commander, therefore, called for volunteers to make up a strong section who were to make a last attempt without an elaborate covering fire programme, using the bayonet and grenades only. Havildar Sewa Singh immediately volunteered to command the venture and a section was made up of six men. He personally led this attack and when half way along the knife edge and L.M.G. opened up on him, and grenades were thrown. He immediately threw a grenade and yelling a war cry which was taken up by the rest of the section, dashed forward with the bayonet. The enemy, surprised and demoralised by this determined assault, fled in disorder, leaving his arms, including the l.M.G., behind. Havildar Sewa Singh, leaving a Lance-Naik to occupy the position taken, himself attempted to pursue the enemy down the precipitous slope throwing grenades and certainly killing one of them.

Had not Havildar Sewa Singh acted in this gallant manner, the start of clearing that part of the position might have been considerably delayed owing to the necessity of further operations to clear the feature which, in turn, might have been reinforced by he enemy during the night.’

Sewa Singh was from the village of Karal Majri in Narain Ganj in Ambala.