Auction Catalogue

17 & 18 May 2016

Starting at 11:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 152

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17 May 2016

Hammer Price:
£900

A rare post-war Far East operations M.M. group of eight awarded to Naik Surat Singh, 1st Kumaon Regiment, who was decorated for his gallant deeds during a run-in with Annamite snipers at Cholon on the River Saigon

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (13335 A. Nk. Surat Singh, Hybad. R.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (13335 Sep. Surat Singh, 1-19 Hy’bad R.); 1939-45 Star, the reverse impressed in irregular capitals, ‘13335 Nk. Surat Singh, Kumaon R.’; Africa Star; Burma Star, the reverse impressed in irregular capitals, ‘13335 Nk. Surat Singh, Kumaon R.’; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, the edges likewise impressed in irregular capitals, ‘13335 Nk. Surat Singh, Kumaon R.’; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S.E. Asia 1945-46, unnamed as issued and not the recipient’s original award, the Stars gilded, generally good very fine (8) £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 4 April 1946. The original recommendation states:

‘On 24 September 1945 at 1330 hours a platoon was despatched to relieve another platoon which was cut off and besieged in the Power House at Cholon by large and well armed Annamite forces. On arrival at the Power House it was found that houses all round were manned by Annamite snipers and that an L.M.G. covered the road. In order to silence the L.M.G. it was necessary to cross the road and get into a house in which were several snipers, from which fire could be brought to bear on the L.M.G. Naik Surat Singh was detailed for this task. He led his section with great courage up the road under heavy fire until he reached the house. He then placed his section under cover and himself broke into the house and cleared it of snipers. His courage and complete indifference to danger was a splendid example to all who witnessed it, and by his prompt and skilful leadership the enemy was rapidly dispersed and the beleaguered platoon relieved.’

Sold with an original bill of sale signed by the recipient’s son and dated at Delhi on 22 November 2000.