Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Havildar Janab Gul, Frontier Force Regiment, who won the I.D.S.M. in 1944 and was killed in Burma in 1945

India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Mohmand 1933, North West Frontier 1935 (11571 Sep., 5-12 F.F.R.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (11571 Sepoy 5-12 F.F.R.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal, good very fine (6) £160-200

I.D.S.M. London Gazette 20 April 1944. Recommendation states: ‘Place: Sapha, Burma (in enemy territory). Date and time: 17.15 hrs. 17 Jan. 1944.

Havildar Janab Gul was a member of a patrol operating in enemy territory across the River Chindwin, beyond supporting distance of any other forces. When the patrol was attacking an enemy occupied village, Havildar Janab Gul was ordered to take his section round to the left flank and rear and to take on any enemy opposition while the main force attacked frontally.

He carried out these orders implicitly and despite the fact that the frontal attack did not go exactly as planned and the Company Commander and two men were mortally wounded, he continued to fight his section under fire. Though wounded in the shoulder he refused to go back and led his section into the village firing his tommy gun and encouraging his men. This gallant action contributed largely to the successful wiping out of enemy opposition.

When our forces eventually withdrew he insisted on being in the van when marching through enemy territory in the dark though then unable to use his arms owing to his wounds. He remained a source of inspiration to his men throughout this difficult period and encouraged them when their chances of getting back appeared meagre.’

11571 Havildar Janab Gul, 9-12 Frontier Force Regiment, was a Pathan from the village of Nidrakka in the district of Kohat. He was killed on 14 February 1945 and having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial.