Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Second World War Burma operations M.M. group of five awarded to Sepoy Sultan Mahmud, Machine Gun Battalion, 11th Sikh Regiment, who single-handed repulsed three ‘ferocious Japanese bayonet charges’ at “Nevis” on the Mawchi Road in July 1945

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (21076 Sep. Sultan Mahmood, Sik R.), officially impressed naming, note spelling ‘Mahmood’; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal 1939-45, the first with minor official correction to ‘Sultan’, re-pinned suspension claw, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine, the remainder rather better (5)
£700-900

M.M. London Gazette 1 November 1945. The original recommendation - for an immediate I.D.S.M. - states:

‘On the feature ‘Nevis’ at about mile 24 on the Mawchi Road in the afternoon of 1 July 1945, No. 21076 Sepoy Sultan Mahmud of the Machine Gun Battalion, 11th Sikh Regiment, was No. 2 on a machine-gun when the 2nd Welch Regiment and 3rd Rajput Rifles were changing over. The 2nd Welch had evacuated the feature and a large number of Rajput Rifles had gone to the bottom of the hill to bring up ammunition and heavy stores when a party of about 40 Japs put in a ferocious bayonet attack under cover of M.M.G. and L.M.G. fire.

Sepoy Sultan Mahmud came under very heavy and accurate small arms fire from close range, the first burst of which killed the No. 1 leaving Sepoy Sultan Mahmud alone to keep the gun in action. He removed the body of the No. 1 and continued to keep the gun firing despite two direct attacks on his post which he repulsed. During this time two sections of infantry tried to fill in the gaps on his right and then left, but were pinned to the ground and were not able to reach a firing position till about 20 minutes after the first attack.

He drove off yet another attack on his gun, showing great bravery and a sense of responsibility. This action lasted about 25 minutes during which Sepoy Sultan Mahmud drove off three fierce attacks.

Throughout the whole action this young Sepoy displayed outstanding courage and complete disregard for personal safety, especially since he completed the action unassisted. His sense of responsibility and devotion to duty undoubtedly saved the gun and held a feature which was lightly defended yet of vital importance to our troops as a base for further operations.’