Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War Burma operations M.M. group of five awarded to Sepoy Mohd Sarwar, 1st Punjab Regiment, who stormed an enemy position with his Tommy gun in Tiddim district in October 1944

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (19187 Sep. Mohd Sarwar, Punjab R.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal 1939-45, these last four with engraved naming, ‘Sep. Mohd Sarwar, Punjab. R.’, generally very fine or better (5)
£550-650

M.M. London Gazette 22 March 1945. The original recommendation - for an immediate I.D.S.M. - states:

‘On 31 October 1944 during the operations at Sialum Vum, Tiddim area, Sepoy Mohd Sarwar was one of the scouts of a reconnaissance patrol sent to locate an enemy position. While they were approaching the position, a grenade was thrown on to the patrol from a well camouflaged trench only ten yards in front of the leading scout. The other scout was wounded and fell to the ground unconscious. Sepoy Mohd Sarwar immediately charged the trench, firing his Tommy gun, and killed both of the occupants. Under heavy automatic fire from the enemy position, Sepoy Mohd Sarwar returned to his companion and carried him back to safety. During this action, Sepoy Mohd Sarwar distinguished himself by a display of courage, dash and determination of a very high order.’

Mohd Sarwar was from Kundwal village in Jhelum district. He was serving in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment, at the time of the above deeds, a component of 123rd Indian Infantry Brigade, 5th Indian Division.