Jemadar Lall Singh MC and Bar
Jemadar Lall Singh was a Viceroy’s Commissioned Officer of the Indian Army, who has one of the rarest distinctions of being awarded the Military Cross, MC for valor and a bar. He accomplished this feat within three months after being awarded his first MC. He served with distinction along with his regiment in India and Burma during the Second World War. After India attained independence, he took part in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1947–48 and was killed in action on Feb. 16, 1948. He is commemorated at the Pir Pinjal Memorial in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jemadar Lall Singh belonged to the village of Buchkar, located in the tehsil of Jagraon, district Ludhiana, Punjab, India. He joined the Indian army on Nov. 25, 1930 and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Jemadar (the current rank in the Indian Army is Niab Subedar) on Sept. 18, 1944. During his military career, he took part in the Second World War, at the Burma campaign, as part of the 7th Light Cavalry. When India attained independence in 1947, he was transferred to the Indian Army, where he took part in the Indo-Pak war and ultimately achieved martyrdom.
The Military Cross is a gallantry award and was granted in recognition of: “an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land”. It was formally awarded to Viceroy’s Commissioned Officers ((VCO) and King’s Commissioned Officers (KCO) of the Indian Army. Only seventeen Indians have received a bar to their MC, one in World War I and sixteen in World War II. The bars for second and subsequent awards have an imperial crown in the center. The recipient was given Rs. 40.00 per month in addition to his salary, an additional Rs. 15.00 per month was paid for each bar to the award.
Jemadar Lall Singh was presented the Military Cross by Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck, GCB, GCIE, CSI, DSO, and OBE, who was a British Army commander during the Second World War He was a career soldier who spent much of his military career in India, where he excelled and became Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. He was highly respected by his fellow officers, soldiers and he had immense respect for the Indian Army.
The official citation for the Military Cross on February 11, 1945 is:
254th Indian Tank Brigade, 33rd Indian Corps, 7th Cavalry.
“At Singu on 11 Feb. 1945, Jemadar Lall Singh was tank commander of one of the leading tanks, which came under heavy and accurate automatic and close range anti-tank gunfire. His tank received multiple hits and the petrol tank, being holed began to leak. In spite of the grave risk, Jemadar Lall Singh, remained in action, returning the fire of the guns and making calm and accurate reports to his troop leader. Later while still engaging the gun, which had not yet been silenced, his tank was again penetrated frontally. Jemadar Lall Singh, unperturbed reported the position of the flash, which he could now see, and with the help of other tanks silenced it.
Although his tank had received 13 direct hits of which three penetrated, he kept his tank in action until the assaulting troops reached the objective, only then halting when all his petrol had expired. His skill, dogged determination and splendid courage were an inspiration to the remainder of the squadron.”
The official citation (Bar to MC) on May 11, 1945 is:
254th Indian Tank Brigade, 33rd Indian Corps, 7th Cavalry.
“For outstanding services and continuous gallantry in action.
At Puzut (693879) on April 25, 1945, Jemadar Lall Singh encountered a party of Japs in strongly defended positions. As he was unable to depress the guns of his tank sufficiently to fire at the enemy; he threw grenades from the turret. The enemy returned fire and wounded him in the shoulder.
Undeterred, he dismounted from his tank and by throwing; more grenades killed four of the enemy. Unable to dislodge the remainder he returned to the Squadron Commander, to report the situation, and although suffering from his wound, led a section of attached infantry back to the position, where under his leadership, the remaining enemy were completely destroyed.
Jemadar Lall Singh set a very high example of gallantry and his leadership, and disregard for his personal safety was an inspiration to all ranks. His actions are deserving of the highest praise.”
During the Burma camapign, the Supreme Allied Commander, South-East Command, Lord Mountbatten, who later on became the Last Viceroy of India visited the Sikh Squadron to thank them of their invaluable service. He may have met Jemadar Lall during the visit.
Jemadar Lall Singh was also present at Tokyo, Japan during a tenure, along with his regiment, the 7th Cavalries which consisted of US Army and Indian Army. He was part of the historic joint ceremonial Guard Mounting carried out at the Imperial Palace grounds. The Indian component was commanded by Lt. Shiv Sing Sidhu and Jem. Lall Singh MC and bar was his deputy commander.
Jemadar Lall Singh would have been awarded the following medals for his military service:
Indian Independence Medal
Military Cross and Bar
The Burma Star
The War Medal — 1939–1945
India General Service Medal
India Service Medal
Jemadar Lall Singh was a brave soldier with exceptional leadership qualities, who faced the adversary head-on, motivated his fellow soldiers and in spite of injuries displayed exemplary courage while facing the enemy. He received his first Military across and Bar within three months of each other. He displayed the utmost love and devotion to his country by sacrificing his life. He, along with Jemadar Nand Singh, MVC, VC, was one of the highest decorated officers to have served in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947–48 at the front and achieved martyrdom. My highest respect to this brave son of the soil.
Written By: Gurmeet Singh Sandhu
Source:
Indian Recipients of Military Cross Vol 1 & 2 by Mr. Sushil Talwar
Mr. Satpal Singh
MC and FM Auchinleck — Wikipedia
Sikh Soldiers — Gallantry Awards by Mr. Narinder Singh Dhesi
Images:
Manny Singh — post from Sikh Military History Forum
Mr. Sushil Talwar
