Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War Mesopotamia operations I.O.M. group of five attributed to Naik Chanan Singh, 45th Sikhs, who was decorated for his bravery in the costly action at Shatt El Hai on 1 February 1917
Indian Order of Merit, Military Division, 2nd type, 2nd Class, Reward of Valor, silver and enamel, with riband buckle; 1914-15 Star (No. 525 Sepoy Chanan Singh, 45 R. Sikhs); British War Medal 1914-20 (525 Havr. Chanan Singh, 45 Sikhs); Victory Medal 1914-19, M.I.D. oak leaf, erased naming; Indian Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., unnamed, the first with slightly chipped enamel centre, generally very fine and better (5) £1400-1600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bahadur Collection of Medals to Sikh Regiments.

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I.O.M. London Gazette 19 November 1917.

‘For conspicuous gallantry and resource in action on 1 February 1917, on the River Hai. During an enemy counter-attack two men firing a Lewis gun in an exposed position were killed. This young N.C.O. at once rushed forward 30 yards, over the open under a hot fire, siezed the Lewis gun, brought it into line with his own gun, and continued to fire it. But for his action the gun would certainly have been lost.’

Chanan Singh, a native of the village of Khanpur in Ludhiana, was awarded the M.S.M. in 1918, in addition to being mentioned in the despatch of Lieutenant-General W. R. Marshall, dated in Mesopotamia in April 1918 (London Gazette 27 August 1918 refers). He received his I.O.M. at a special parade held on 19 February 1917, when the G.O.C. distributed a number of immediate awards for the action at Shatt El Hai. At the rear of the gathered throng were around 2000 Turkish P.O.Ws, all of whom were treated to a stirring speech by the General, in which he praised the 45th Sikhs for their wonderful bravery on 1 February 1917 - bravery that cost the regiment casualties of 140 killed and 290 wounded.

Also see Lot No. 209 for the I.D.S.M. awarded to Havildar Kaka Singh for Shatt El Hai and Lot 193 for the India General Service 1908-35 awarded to Lieutenant R. Rainsford Hannay, who was killed in action on the same occasion.