Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Persia 1941 operations I.D.S.M. group of seven attributed to Naik Chanan Singh, 2nd Battalion, 11th Sikh Regiment, who killed many of the enemy during a hand-to-hand encounter at Qasr Shaikh

Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R., erased naming; India General Service 1936-39, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39 (9185 Nk. Chanan Singh, 2-11 Sikh R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, generally good very fine (7) £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bahadur Collection of Medals to Sikh Regiments.

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I.D.S.M. London Gazette 14 January 1943:

‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Iraq, Syria and Persia during the period April 1941 to February 1942.’

The original recommendation states:

‘At the attack on Qasr Shaikh on 25 August 1941, Naik Chanan Singh commanded his section with great skill and determination. About 40 enemy in a trench to his front were holding up the attack of two companies on the right with light machine-gun fire. He worked his way up with his section to the left with his T.S.M.G. and killed many of the enemy. By his gallantry and expert handling of his men he was responsible for putting the enemy light machine-guns out of action and enabling the attack on the right to go forward; his leadership when in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy was worthy of the highest praise.’