Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Vir Chakra group of seven awarded to Lance-Naik Chand Singh, 1st Patiala Infantry, Indian State Forces

India, Vir Chakra, the reverse inscribed (3553 L/Nk. Chand Singh, 1st Patiala, ISF); India Independence Medal 1947, unnamed as issued; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal; India Service Medal; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S.E. Asia (3553 L/Nk., 1 Patiala Infy, ISF) generally good very fine (7) £500-600

Vir Chakra Gazette of India 26 January 1950: 3553 L/Nk. Chand Singh, 1st Patiala (RS) Infantry. MACHHOI Map Ref 5645 in Jummu & Kashmir State on 23rd May 1948. He was in command of the leading section of a Pl patrol to area Pt 5948. At 1120 hours the whole of his platoon came under heavy and accurate MMG and automatic fire from well covered and concealed enemy positions from a hundred yards distance, killing and wounding half of his section straight away. While himself being under intense and close fire running the risk of being killed at any moment continued giving covering fire from an awkwardly exposed position, signalling the remnants of his section to crawl to the hill side. Appreciating the gravity of the situation he collected an LMG and 2-inch mortar bombs (to be used as grenades) from his killed comrades with a view to reorganise his section and contain the enemy.

Having enabled the balance of his section to reach a reasonably defiladed position, he crawled to that position in full view of the enemy and being dangerously silhouetted against snow background under continuous hails of fire of all descriptions providently escaping injury.

From about 1200 hours to about 1730 hours when reinforcements arrived, he so directed the fire of his party that the enemy, in spite of continuous and frantic efforts, was unable to come down to win casualties. The enemy concentrated all his fire effort on this NCO’s little hide out causing two casualties to his party of five. This man utterly disregarding personal danger and sure annihilation of his party, so exhorted and inspired his party that they were set not to allow the enemy to reach their wounded and killed comrades at any cost. At 1730 hours when an attack was put in by his Coy on the enemy occupied hill feature he got out of his hide with his party and joined the battle silencing an enemy active sniper post.

This isolated superb gallant action of this NCO was largely responsible for saving nine of his comrades and the whole of his Pl equipment. This NCO in an all day battle displayed the highest soldierly qualities of leadership, personal bravery and selfless devotion to duty under most trying and shaking conditions. He will long be remembered in the history of this unitfor his outstanding conduct in this battle.’