A Second World War M.M. awarded to Havildar Sundar Singh, 1st Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Regiment, who led a successful counter-attack although wounded

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (11960 Hav. Sundar Singh, 12 F.F.R.), officially engraved naming, rank officially corrected, edge nicks, nearly extremely fine £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 7 December 1944. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘On 9 August 1944, ‘D’ Company, supported by one troop of tanks, was ordered to raid the village of Columbano, which was occupied by an unknown number of enemy. The village was cleared with little opposition and the Company started to withdraw, when the rear platoon, commanded by Havildar Sundar Singh, was suddenly subjected to very heavy close range small arms fire and grenade fire from the thick vineyards and orchards on the flanks. Five men of the Platoon were wounded and one section was pinned to the ground. Havildar Sundar Singh, although himself wounded in the arm, immediately organised and led an attack with the remainder of his platoon, dispersing the enemy and inflicting casualties. The area then came under heavy mortar and artillery fire. Meanwhile, touch had been lost with the platoon on the left, so Havildar Sundar Singh, having organised the withdrawal of his own platoon, made his way across 300 yards of close country, known to contain enemy, contacted the platoon and co-ordinated its withdrawal with his own, thereby forestalling an enemy attempt to isolate them. Throughout the action Havildar Sundar Singh displayed outstanding leadership and his coolness and courage were an inspiration to his men. This N.C.O. has also on many previous occasions when in action shown exemplary leadership.’