Orders, Decorations and Medals

An exceptional posthumous King’s Police Medal for Gallantry awarded to Head Constable Mohammad Hussain, Punjab Police
King’s Police Medal for Gallantry, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Mohd. Hussain, Head Constable No. 458, Punjab) nearly extremely fine

K.P.M. Gazette of India 11 September 1943,

‘On 27th May, 1943, Mounted Head Constable Mohammad Hussain was one of a small party of Mounted Police who went out from Police Station Nathana to search for two armed military deserters, who had been reported in the neighbourhood. In the course of the search, the Head Constable and his Sub-Inspector were riding along the main road, when they suddenly saw the two deserters, who were armed with 3 rifles and a quantity of ammunition, appear from behind a bullock cart. The deserters immediately loaded their rifles, but the two police officers closed with them and a hand-to-hand struggle took place. Neither of the police officers had time to draw their weapons, but Mohammad Hussain attempted to wrest a rifle from one of the deserters. In the course of the tussle he was shot twice by one of the deserters and, realising that the only thing to do was to take cover and use his own rifle, he broke away. As he was galloping towards some trees, he was fired at and wounded for the third time in the back, the bullet emerging from his abdomen. In spite of this he dismounted and continued to play a most active part in the battle which ensued between the deserters and the remainder of the police party, who had by now come up. When his wounds, which were bleeding profusely, had been roughly bandaged, he so encouraged his men and directed their fire that, after a fierce exchange of shots lasting nearly one and a half hours, both the deserters were shot dead. Unfortunately, his wounds proved fatal and he died in hospital a day later. Mohammad Hussain’s personal courage, devotion to duty, indifference to his wounds, and disregard of danger, were an inspiring example to his men and he most gallantly upheld the best traditions of the Punjab Police.’