Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second World War Burma operations M.M. group of six awarded to Naik P. Singh, 1/16th Punjabis, who, though wounded, continued to advance on the enemy, firing his Bren gun from the hip

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (10114 Naik Pritham Singh, Punjab R.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; India Service Medal; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S.E. Asia 1945-46, unnamed as issued, generally good very fine (6) £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 5 October 1944. The immediate recommendation states:

‘On 24 May [1944], during the attack on the high feature south of Phalbung, called Ben Nevis, Naik Pritam Singh commanded the left hand section of the leading Platoon. His section came under heavy enemy fire and his second-in-command and Bren numbers became casualties. Naik Pritam Singh at once took over the Bren himself and continued to advance firing it from the hip. He was himself wounded but disregarding the wound he continued to advance. His example was an inspiration to the whole Platoon.’

Pritam Singh, a Jat Sikh from the village of Pandori in Jullunder District, was originally recommended for the I.D.S.M. but this was amended to an M.M. at Brigade level.