Post-1947 Indian Groups

[Ed_Haynes]

106904 Head Clerk Gata Ram. Bengal Engineers Group, Indian Engineers

1- General Service Medal, 1947 - Jammu and Kashmir, 1947-48 - "106904 H-CLK. GATA RAM, BENGAL ENGR. GP., I.E."

2- Independence Medal, 1947 - unnamed

3- 1939-45 Star - "106904 HAV/CLK. GITA RAM, BENGAL S. & M. GP. R.I.E."

4- Burma Star - "106904 HAV/CLK. GITA RAM, BENGAL S. & M. GP. R.I.E."

5- WWII War Medal - "106904 HAV/CLK. GITA RAM, BENGAL S. & M. GP. R.I.E."

Many thanks to the forum friend who helped this come live with me.

Edited May 2, 2007 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

Sad news. The medal mounting and ribbon making gentleman in New Delhi used by me and by many of us, directly or indirectly, has passed away. A true gentleman and craftsman of the old school he will be missed.

A moment oif silence, please.

This leaves me with many "naked" groups I had not wanted to post until they were properly garbed.

I shall post a few, on and off, as I can.

JC-48211 Subadar Kartar Chand, Signals

1- Paschimi Star - "JC 48211 SUB K CHAND SIGS"

2- Sangram Medal - ""JC 48211 SUB KAHTAR CHAND SIGS

3- Samniya Seva, Jammu-Kashmir - "JC-48211 SUB. KARTAR CHAND, SIGS."

4- 25th Independence - "JC 48211 SUB KARTAR CHAND SIGS"

5- 20 Year - "JC-48211 SUB. KARTAR CHAND, SIGS."

6- 9 Year - missing

An interesting all-Subadar group?

[Ed_Haynes]

Jemadar Kishan Singh, Recruiting Staff

1- Independence Medal - "JEMDR. H.C. KISHAN SINGH, RCTG, STAFF."

2- War Medal - "I.O. 30713 JEMDR. KISHAN SINGH, RCTG, STAFF."

3- India service Medal - "I.O. 30713 JEMDR. KISHAN SINGH, RCTG, STAFF."

"H.C." = Head Clerk

April 1944 IAL

Recruiting Staff

Subedars/Jemedars (Head Clerks) non technical recruting organisation

date of enrolement : 10/9/39

KISHAN SINGH, Jemedar

Date of substantive rank : 6/4/43

date in present appointment : 6/4/43

Remarks : Rawalpindi

Edited May 24, 2007 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

N/902511 Lance Naik Nagina Singh, Army Service Corps (Motorized Transport)

1- Independence Medal - "N/902511 L/NK. HAGINA SINGH, A.S.C.(M.T.)"

2- Defence Medal - "MTN/902511 SEP. NAGINA SINGH, R.I.A.S.C.(M.T.)"

3- War Medal - "MTN/902511 SEP. NAGINA SINGH, R.I.A.S.C.(M.T.)"

4- Indian Overseas Badge

5- Unofficial George VI Coronation Medal

Edited May 23, 2007 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

2442121 Lance Naik Dalbir Singh, Punjab Regiment

1- General Service Medal - "2442121 L-NK. DALBIR SINGH, PUNJAB R."

2- Raksha Medal - "2442121 SEP DALBIR SINGH PUNJAB R"

3- Videsh Seva Medal, United Arab Republic - "2442121 L-NK. DALBIR SINGH, PUNJAB R."

4- United Nations, UNEF Medal

[Ed_Haynes]

And one more, out of a boxfull set aside to take next time.

Acting Major Gurpal Singh, 1st Patiala Rajindra Lancers

1- Independence Medal - "IEC-12003 LT. GURPAL SINGH, PATIALA S. F."

2- War Medal - "SS-16201 A-MAJOR GURPAL SINGH, PATIALA S.F."

3- India Service Medal - "SS-16201 A-MAJOR GURPAL SINGH, PATIALA S.F."

1st Patiala Rajindra Lancers - reorganized 11 April 1889; reorganized 16 September 1926; reorganized 16 October 1932

Entered service 6 October 1930

First Commission 2 May 1932

Captain 2 May 1941

1 July 1944 - T/Major, 2nd-in-command, 1st Paiala (Rajindra) Lancers

15 - Field Works Course (All Arms), Indian States Forces

31-J - Junior Wing of Tactical School, Poona

54 - Qualified at D and M Course, Ahmednagar

The Rajindra Lancers spent most of the war in India but moved to Egypt in May 1945, followed by a short tour in Palestine before going on to Aden in November 1945 where it remained until returning to India on 30 March 1946.

Uniform dark green, facings yellow.

[Ed_Haynes]

Obviously, a broken group, but still a nice pair.

11360 Wing Commander Vinod Agnihotri, VSM, Indian Air Force

1- Videsh Seva, Oman - "13360 WG CDR V AGNIHOTRI IAF"

2- Nine Year Service Medal - "13360 WG CDR V AGNIHOTRI IAF"

With "Oman" being a fairly uncommon clasp to the Videsh Seva Medal.

Chacking Jagan's fine database -- http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/index.html -- I find that 13360 Wing Commander Vinod Agnihotri was an IAF medical officer. He was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal, GoI, 26 January 1995.

[Michael Johnson]

The Rajindra Lancers spent most of the war in India but moved to Egypt in May 1945, followed by a short tour in Palestine before going on to Aden in November 1945 where it remained until returning to India on 30 March 1946.

Ed, I'm fairly sure that I've seen a GSM "Palestine 1945-48" to the Patiala Lancers. In fact I think I added that unit in my update to the previous edition of Gordon's.

Edited May 24, 2007 by Michael Johnson

[Ed_Haynes]

Ed, I'm fairly sure that I've seen a GSM "Palestine 1945-48" to the Patiala Lancers. In fact I think I added that unit in my update to the previous edition of Gordon's.

I know the Jodhpur Lancers were there, but have no evidence of the 2nd Patiala Lancers in Palestine (and Head and McClanaghan don't show them either).

[Michael Johnson]

I know the Jodhpur Lancers were there, but have no evidence of the 2nd Patiala Lancers in Palestine (and Head and McClanaghan don't show them either).

"Memory like a sieve! Be forgetting the names of me hounds next!" Un-named Yeomanry Colonel, Iraq 1941.

[Ed_Haynes]

Just retrieved, one of the last sets of groups to come for me from the Grand Old Man of New Delhi medal mounting:(

2452100 Lance/Naik Shangara Singh, Punjab Regiment

1- Wound Medal - "2452100 SEP SHANGARA SINGH PUNJAB R"

2- GSM 1947, Mizo Hills - "2452100 SEP S SINGH PUNJAB R"

3- Raksha Medal 1965 - "2452100 SEP SHANGARA S PUNJAB R"

4- Sangram Medal, 1971 - "2452100 L/NK SHANGARA SINGH PUNJAB R"

5- Sainya Seva, NEFA - "2452100 SEP SHANGARA SINGH PUNJAB R"

6- 25th Independence - "2452100 L/NK S SINGH PUNJAB R"

7- Nine Year Service - "2452100 SEP SHANGARA SINGH PUNJAB R"

[Ed_Haynes]

6440105 Acting Lance Dafadar Sadhu Singh, Army Service Corps (Animal Transport)

1- GSM 1947 Jammu and Kashmir - "6440105 A-L-DFDR. SADHU SINGH, A.S.C. A.T."

2- Sainya Seva Medal Jammu Kashmir - "6440105 L-NK. SADHU SINGH, A.S.C. A.T."

3- Independence Medal - "793983 DVR. SADHU SINGH, A.S.C. (A.T.)"

4- 1939-45 Star - "793983 A-L-DFDR. SADHU SINGH, R.I.A.S.C. (A.T.)"

5- Burma War - "793983 A-L-DFDR. SADHU SINGH, R.I.A.S.C. (A.T.)"

6- War Medal 1939-45 - "793983 A-L-DFDR. SADHU SINGH, R.I.A.S.C. (A.T.)"

[Ed_Haynes]

??? Nanda Ram, Indian Police

1- Independence Medal 1950 - Mounted backwards:( - unnamed as usual

2- 1939-45 Star - "MTN/SEP. NANDA RAM, R.I.A.S.C. (M.T.)"

3- Africa Star - "MTN/SEP. NANDA RAM, R.I.A.S.C. (M.T.)"

4- Italy Star - "MTN/SEP. NANDA RAM, R.I.A.S.C. (M.T.)"

5- Defence Medal -"MTN/SEP. NANDA RAM, R.I.A.S.C. (M.T.)"

6- War Medal1939-45 - "MTN/SEP. NANDA RAM, R.I.A.S.C. (M.T.)"

Served in motorised transport during WWII and then, by 1950, joined the police (upon demobilization?).

Edited July 6, 2007 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

V-75 Colonel Karam Singh, Staff (Remount Veterinary Corps)

born 18 January 1918

WWII (?) entered service, rising to Risaldar (V-673)

2nd Lt (Emergency) - 13 March 1944 (VL-198)

W. S. Captain - 13 November 1946

September 1952 - Veterinary Officer of a Division

November 1957 - Veterinary Officer, Mill Farm, Kanpur

early 1960s (?) transferred to regular commission (V-75)

Still serving 1972

The group:

1- Samar Seva Star - V-75 COL. KARAM SINGH, STAFF.

2- Raksha Medal 1965 - V-75 A-COL. KARAM SINGH, STAFF.

3- Sangram Medal, 1971 - V-75 COL. KARAM SINGH.

4- Sainya Seva, J&K - V-75 MAJ. KARAM SINGH, R.V.C.

5- Independence Medal 1947 - ribbon only

6- 25th Independence Anniversary Medal - V-75 COL. KARAM SINGH.

7- 20 Year - V-75 COL. KARAM SINGH.

8- 9 Year - V-75 COL. KARAM SINGH.

9- 1939-45 Star - V-673 RISALDAR KARAM SINGH, R.V.F.C.

10- Burma Star - V-673 RISALDAR KARAM SINGH, R.V.F.C.

11- WWII War Medal - V-673 RISALDAR KARAM SINGH, R.V.F.C.

[Ed_Haynes]

And, while not the world's best scanned photo, here is is. Getting better image.

[Ed_Haynes]

OK, some of you know how I feel about the Indian Police. Then or now. But, for some strange cosmic reason nice police groups contiune to seek me out. The latest, as received (though mostly cased).

Bakshi Badri Nath, I.P.S., Assistant Dir. S.I.B., Amritsar

1- President's Police and Fire Services Medal for Distinguished Service - "Bakshi Badri Nath, I.P.S., Assistant Dir. S.I.B., Amritsar"

2- Independence Medal 1950

3- King's Police Medal for Distinguished Service - "RAI BAHADUR BADRI NATH SUPDT. OF POLICE, C.I.D. (OFFG.), PUNJAB" - London Gazette,1 January 1948, one of those rare post-Independence "Dominion"awards of the KPM (and,note, it is still the "INDIAE IMP" variety even though those weren't the king's titles then!)

4- George VI Rai Bahadur - "Mr. Bakshi Badri Nath, 1st Jany. 1942" - The recommendation remains elusive suggesting it was a politically "loaded" one. (And he wears this out of order, after the KPM, so I keep it there.)

5- British War Medal- unnamed

6- War Medal 1939-45 - unnamed

7- George VI Coronation Medal

Much research remains . . . .

Edited July 6, 2007 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

And -- brave (?) man that he was -- he wore the Rai Bahadur on his ribbon bars, both pre- and post-Independence, and with his Coronation Medal in an odd place.

[Ed_Haynes]

Though the WWII medals are all unnamed it is still a pretty group, I think.

7341 Havildar Chain Singh, Machine Gun Battalion,Dogra Regiment

1- Independence Medal - unnamed

2- IGS 1936 - "7341 SEPOY CHAIN SINGH,1-17 DOGRA R."

3- 1939-45 Star - unnamed

4- Burma Star - unnamed

5- War Medal1939-45 - unnamed

6- India Service Medal - unnamed

7- General Service Medal S-E Asia 1945-46 -"7341 HAV.CHAIN SINGH, M.G.BN.,DOGRA R."

[Ed_Haynes]

Also unbathed and naked, but nice.

3953226 Sepoy Udham Singh, Dogra Regiment

1- Samar Seva Star - "3953226 SEP UDHAM SINGH DOGRA"

2- Raksha Medal - "3953226 SEP UDHAM SINGH DOGRA R"

3- Sangram Medal - "3953226 SEP UDHAM SINGH DOGRA"

4- Sainya Seva Medal "Jammu Kashmir" - "3953226 SEP. UDHAM SINGH, DOGRA R."

5- Videsh Seva Medal "United Arab Republic" - "3953226 SEP. UDHAM SINGH, DOGRA R."

6- UN UNEF - unnamed as usual

While there has been an effort at either testing the silver-colored medals or at erasing the name on those, all is legible and the star is untouched.

[RobW]

To Ed and all,

I recently came across this group to a member of the Sikh Light Infantry. Of interest is that one of the medals is missing and I'm not too sure if it has come adrift from the group or was not yet attached. I noticed on this thread that it seems to be a seemingly regular occurrence to have medals missing from groups.

The details of the individual are: 4444408 Lance Naik Joginder Singh, Sikh Light Infantry

My limited knowledge of Indian medals has identified the group as:

* General Service Medal 1947, Naga Hills

* Pashchimi Star, 1971

* Raksha Medal, 1965 (not present)

* Sangram Medal, 1971

* Sainya Seva Medal - (unsure of the clasp name)

* 25th Independence Anniversary Medal, 1972

* 9 Years Long Service Medal

Do I have these details correct?

Any other information of note, or opinions would be gratefully received.

Regards,

Rob

Edited July 25, 2010 by RobW

[Sahil117]

On 5/23/2007 at 23:04, Ed_Haynes said:

Any chance the group is on sale sir?? (Fingers crossed.. )  

 

 

[Sahil117]

On 9/16/2005 at 00:57, Ed_Haynes said:

4438239 Naib Subadar Ajit Singh, Sikh Light Infantry

1- The General Service Medal, 1947 - GOA 1961 - 4438239 SEP. AJIT SINGH, SIKH L. I.

2- Samanya Seva Medal, 1965 - Kucch - Kargil 1965 - 4438239 HAV. AJIT SINGH, S. L. I.

3- Samar Seva Star, 1965 - 4438239 HAV. AJIT SINGH SIKH L. I.

4- Poorvi Star, 1971 - 4438239 AJIT SINGH SIKH L I

5- Paschimi Star, 1971 - 4438239 HAV. AJIT SINGH SIKH L I

6- Raksha Medal, 1965 - unnamed

7- Sangram Medal, 1971 - 4438239 HAV. AJIT SINGH SIKH L I

8- Sainya Seva Medal - Himalaya - 4438239 NB-SUB. AJIT SINGH SIKH L I

9- 25th Independence Anniversary Medal, 1972 - 4438239 HAV. AJIT SINGH SIKH L I

10- Twenty Years Long Service Medal - 4438239 HAV. AJIT SINGH, S. L. I.

11- Nine Years Long Service Medal - 4438239 NK. AJIT SINGH, S.L.I.

Hi Ed! Hello everybody! Was wondering how the same individual served on BOTH fronts in the 1971 war? I would say it may be possible in the case of an officer posted on staff duties in a HQ during the war; it may certainly even be plausible in the case of an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer- given the few and precious assets available then, but i fail to understand how this may be true for a JCO, seemingly posted in a Sikh LI Bn during the War? Unless of course, this Bn was air lifted from the East to the West or vice versa...??

[Gordon Craig]

Sahil,

Ed no longer posts on this forum so you will probably not get an answer from him.  You pose an interesting question though and I will have to give it some thought.

Regards,

Gordon

 

[Sushil Talwar]

Sahil,

My dad has both the Stars for 71, he served in the West (opened up the defunct Monabao - Khokrapar railway lines)  and the East (a few covert and overt jobs and finally Dacca).

[Deben]

Hello everyone,

 

I have this group awarded to Sep. Sukhdev Singh, which is missing a Sangram medal. I intend to have it mounted, and would like your advice on whether I should include an un named replacement medal to complete the group, or leave it as it is.

Many thanks for your help.