The Bahadur Collection of Medals to Sikh Regiments

A most unusual Second World War Italy operations M.M. group of six awarded to Naik Khan Bahadur, 4th Battalion, 11th Sikh Regiment, who was wounded during the course of rescuing a comrade from a minefield - he was originally recommended for a G.M.

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (13949 Nk. Khan Bahadur, Sikh R.), officially impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, generally extremely fine (6) £500-600

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

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Collection

Most of the 39 M.Ms awarded to the 11th Sikh Regiment in the 1939-45 War were in respect of the Burma operations of 1944-45, as a consequence of which the above award for the 2nd Battalion in Italy is a rarity.

M.M. London Gazette 21 June 1945. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘On 11 January 1945, Naik Khan Bahadur volunteered to get some wounded clear of the Schu minefield in which they were lying in the Casale area. He did this with great bravery and skill. One badly wounded man only remained to be cleared, Naik Khan Bahadur continued to work forward to this Sepoy, who warned him that he thought there were other mines around him and that he might be lying on one. In turning over the body of the wounded Sepoy a mine was set off, which killed the wounded Sepoy and wounded Naik Khan Bahadur in the face and arms. The mines were buried in the snow and difficult to detect. Naik Khan Bahadur must have realised the danger in which he was, but inspite of this knowledge and the warnings of the wounded man, Naik Khan Bahadur carried out his rescue work with determination and cool courage, giving an example of cold-blooded bravery of a high order, and by his efforts assisting the rescue of several of his comrades. The whole task was carried out in full view of the enemy under the Red Cross Flag.’

Naik Khan Bahadur was originally recommended for an immediate George Medal but this was downgraded in the first instance to an I.D.S.M. and finally to an immediate Military Medal by Field Marshal Alexander.