Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War ‘Arakan 1944’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Naik Mohammad Yaqub, 2nd Punjab Regiment - who was later also awarded the I.D.S.M.

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (18958 L/Nk. Mohd. Yaqub, 2 Punjab R.) engraved naming, good very fine £1200-1500

M.M. London Gazette 16 November 1944.

M.M. Recommendation: ‘Arakan, 6 May 1944 - Hill 551.’ ‘Went forward with his Coy Comdr with extra grenades to the leading Pl. when it was held up in the open by close and heavy fire from an enemy bunker. With another Sepoy he entered a Jap trench containing an M.M.G. which he silenced and killed 3 enemy. He then destroyed the M.M.G. He then by going backwards & forwards over 100 yards brought both a wounded Sepoy, his own Bren and magazines back under heavy fire. Thereafter for 24 hours he remained at his post in the foremost half constructed trenches & shot 3 Snipers. Throughout he displayed great courage, coolness under heavy fire and consistent devotion to duty over a long period.’



Recommended for an Immediate I.O.M; awarded an Immediate I.D.S.M. 107-H/1945.

I.D.S.M. Recommendation: ‘2nd and 4th February 1945, Kangaw - hill feature Melrose, Arakan’. ‘At 0200 hrs 2 Feb the enemy under cover of intense artillery and mortar fire put in [a] strong counter attack on [the] North end of Melrose. The enemy were momentarily held up by obstacles in front of No. 2 Platoon in which Naik Mohd Yaqub was acting Pl. Hav. At this moment the Bren of the leading Section was rendered useless by a stoppage; on his own initiative Naik Mohd Yaqub ran to the Bren across open ground swept by M.M.H. and rifle fire and put the gun back into action. He then proceeded from trench to trench encouraging and cheering the men, to such effect that [the] first counter attack was repulsed with heavy losses.

He stayed with this section from 0215 hrs to 0700 hrs during which the enemy launched repeated attacks on the posn during which Naik Mohd Yaqub by his courageous example so inspired his men that the enemy was repeatedly repulsed with severe losses. The posn. was intermittently shelled during the night but by his calm and determined manner kept his men steady and high spirited.

At 0900 hrs on the 4th Feb the Coy again came under heavy and accurate enemy artillery and mortar fire plus several grenade dischargers. By 2030 hrs the three forward trenches had received direct hits. In one trench three men were buried and all the three Brens were rendered unserviceable by the fire on the forward platoon. The Platoon was consequently slightly disorganised and the enemy made a serious attempt to attack the posn.

Naik Mohd Yaqub although in a different pl. appreciated the situation and ran forward ahead of the defended localities with a haversack of grenades which, with a total disregard of personal safety, he threw in the face of the advancing enemy. This area was at all times under LMG and MG fire but by his fearless action the enemy was again repulsed.

He then organised a party and dug out the buried men and weapons from the trenches under view from the enemy. Throughout the operation he worked tirelessly, in the brief lulls he attended the wounded, and in the attacks his devotion to duty and splendid courage was an inspiration and example to all ranks. Throughout the Melrose battle this N.C.O. has been outstanding for his gallantry, complete disregard to personal safety and quick and adequate action at critical moments.’



With copied recommendations and extracts from regimental history.