Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Burma Gallantry Medal group of four awarded to Sepoy Nand Singh, The Burma Regiment, for gallantry in the Kohima area of Burma

Burma Gallantry Medal, G.VI.R. (33238 Sepoy Nand Singh, The Burma Regt.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal, good very fine and very scarce (4) £2000-2500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Richard Magor Collection of Medals Relating to India and Africa, and other Fine Awards.

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Burma Gallantry Medal London Gazette 16 November 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.’

The original recommendation was for an Immediate M.M. and states: ‘Kohima Area - Aradura Ridge - May 1944. On 29th May 1944, when his Company had recaptured a position, this Sepoy mounted an abandoned medium machine-gun, and got it rapidly into action, repulsing a local enemy counter-attack with a determined stream of fire. On the following day, when the enemy counter-attacked in force, he manned his gun in a very exposed position under extremely heavy enemy fire from six light machine-guns, and carried on firing. When the feed-block broke down, he ran across open ground, stripped another disused gun, and repaired his own. He fired for ten minutes, after he was wounded, until relieved. He is strongly recommended for the Military Medal.’

Nand Singh was a Sikh from Aspal, Barnala, Patiala State. Only 207 awards of the Burma Gallantry Medal, and three Bars, were made during the period of its existence, from 1940-47.