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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 76

A very fine Second World War 'Garci feature 1943' Tunisia operations I.D.S.M. awarded to Lance-Naik H. Singh, 4th Battalion, 16th Punjab Regiment

Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (11432 L-Nk. Hansa Singh, 4-16 Punjab R.) , good very fine

I.D.S.M. London Gazette 19 August 1943. The original recommendation states:

'On 23 April 1943, this NCO was in charge of the control R/T set at Bn. HQ on the Garci feature. The enemy bombardment was at all times heavy and concentrated. During an enemy counter-attack, the trench in which this NCO was working was wrecked by a shell. With the utmost coolness L/Naik Singh removed his set to another position, from which he continued to operate, and give a minute-to-minute account to the CO of the situation forward.

Owing to the number of casualties incurred by the Signal Section, it was impossible to relieve this NCO at his Control Set, where he showed commendable fortitude and coolness in working ceaselessly for 72 hours, under a constant hail of mortar and shell-fire, maintaining communications without any thought of a rest. This action is a single example of the repeated coolness and devotion to duty this NCO has shown throughout the operation.'

Hansa Singh would have shared in the capture of the Garci feature on 19-20 April with Indian and Gurkha comrades. During the action itself, Havildar-Major Chhelu Ram, 6th Rajputs won the Victoria Cross, while Jemadar Dewan Sing of the Gurkhas won himself an Indian Order of Merit to go with a dozen wounds. He recalled the actions Singh would have shared in:

'I was challenged in a foreign language. I felt it was not the British language or I would have recognised it. To make quite sure I crept up and found myself looking into the face of a German. I recognised him by his helmet. He was fumbling with his weapon so I cut off his head with my kukri.

Another appeared from a slit trench and I cut him down also. I was able to do the same to two others, but one made a great deal of noise, which raised the alarm. I had a cut at a fifth but I am afraid I only wounded him. Yet perhaps the wound was severe, for I struck him between the neck and shoulder.

I was now involved in a struggle with a number of Germans, and eventually, after my hands had become cut and slippery with blood, they managed to wrest my kukri from me. One German beat me over the head with it, inlicting a number of wounds. He was not very skilful, however, sometimes striking me with the sharp edge but oftener with the blunt.

They managed to beat me to the ground where I lay pretending to be dead. The Germans got back into their trenches and after a while I looked up. I could not see anything, for my eyes were full of blood.

I wiped the blood out of my eyes and quite near I saw a German machine-gun. I thought, ‘If only I can reach that gun I shall be able to kill the lot.’ By now it was getting light and as I lay thinking of a plan to reach the gun, my platoon advanced and started to hurl grenades among the enemy. But they were also falling very near me, so I thought that if I did not move I really would be dead.

I managed to get to my feet, and ran towards my platoon. Not recognising me, I heard one of my men call, ‘Here comes the enemy! Shoot him!’ I bade them not to do so. They recognised my voice and let me come in.

My hands being cut about and bloody, and having lost my kukri, I had to ask one of my platoon to take my pistol from my holster and to put it in my hand. I then took command of my platoon again. I met my company commander, who bade me go to the Regimental Aid Post.

I said, ‘Sahib, there is fighting to be done, and I know the enemy’s dispositions. I must stay and command my platoon.’ But he firmly ordered me and I had to go.

Yet before I went, one of my Bren gunners was hit, and my company commander, although wounded in the neck, took over the Bren gun and continued to fire it. Moreover, the doctor sahib, having bandaged me, refused to allow me to return to my platoon.'

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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£600