Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Second World War Italy operations M.M. group of six awarded to Naik Ganga Ram, 4th Battalion, 10th Baluch Regiment, who took seven prisoners after charging an enemy machine-gun post with his Tommy gun

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (19800 Nk. Ganga Ram, Baluch R.), officially impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, generally good very fine (6) £500-600

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

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M.M. London Gazette 10 May 1945. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘On 1 December 1944, Naik Ganga Ram was acting as Platoon Havildar, when his platoon was ordered to attack an enemy position in the area of C. Placci. The Platoon advanced steadily towards their first objective and was preparing for the final assault, when an enemy post on their left flank opened fire on them with L.M.Gs. Naik Ganga Ram, realising that the final assault would not be possible until the post had been silenced, halted the Platoon and went single-handed to deal with the enemy post. He crept up under cover and completely surprised the Germans with two well-placed grenades. Then, with great dash and courage, he charged the post with a Tommy gun. The seven Germans still living surrendered and the Platoon was able to capture its objective without any further interference.’

Mention in despatches London Gazette 21 January 1946 (Italy).