Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War Italy operations M.M. group of five awarded to Havildar Pokar Ram, 6th Rajput Rifles, who was decorated for his gallantry in his battalion’s attack on Zollara in September 1944, on which occasion he commanded the unit’s mortar section - working with parade ground precision under a galling fire

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (21945 Hav. Pokar Ram, Raj. Rif.), impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, these unnamed, good very fine and better (5) £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 8 March 1945. The original recommendation - for an I.D.S.M. - states:

‘On the night of 14-15 September 1944, Havildar Pokar Ram was the Havildar No. 1 Platoon, ‘B’ Company (4.2-inch mortars), 6th Rajputana Rifles, in support of 2nd Battalion, the Camerons.

The Battalion was engaged upon an attack on Zollara, and operating in an area known in detail to the enemy and constantly subjected to heavy shelling. In order to minimise the limitations imposed by the short range of the 4.2-inch mortar, it is policy in this platoon always to bring up the mortars as close behind the fighting troops as possible, and this more often than not involves working under fire.

On the night of 14-15 September 1944, the Havildar was ordered to set up his mortars in positions less than 1,000 yards behind the start line of the attacking infantry. The area was under shell-fire at the time but, on his own initiative and with no regard for his own personal safety, the Havildar put each team in position, mounted all the aiming-posts himself, although this involved protracted exposure, and by his splendid personal example so sustained the heart of his teams that they went to work with parade-ground precision.

Throughout the operation, and under continued shelling, the Havildar moved from team to team, ignoring the danger to himself in order to direct and encourage his men. The support given by the Platoon to the Battalion in this attack was a valuable contribution to its success and there is no doubt that the Platoon’s efficiency was largely due to the courage and skill of this Havildar, working in the open with shells often bursting close to him, and to the faith in him and determination to stint nothing in the fulfilment of their duty with which his wholly admirable conduct inspired the members of his platoon.

After the operation the Army Commander stated in a congratulatory message that its success greatly assisted the Army’s advance.’ With copied recommendation and other research.