THE VICTORIA CROSS AWARDED TO NAIK GIAN SINGH, 4TH BN, 15TH PUNJAB REGIMENT, HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN AN ANTIQUES ROADSHOW PROGRAMME. |
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18 September 2023 |
The Victoria Cross and accompanying campaign medals awarded to Naik ( later Hon Subadar Major ) Gian Singh, 4th Bn, 15th Punjab Regiment, was included in the well known television programme 'Antiques Roadshow' on the 18th September 2023 held in Pollok Park Glasgow. The VC medal group was brought to the programme by Gian Singh's son who lives in the city. Although the programme's medal expert Mark Smith valued the group at around a quarter of a million pounds, the son of Gian Singh stated he would never sell it and therefore it would be returned to its bank vault. For the award of the Victoria Cross [ London Gazette, 22 May 1945 ], Kamye-Myingyan Road, Burma, 2 March 1945, Naik Gian Singh, 4th Battalion, 15th Punjab Regiment, Indian Army.
In Burma, on 2nd March 1945, the Japanese were holding a strong position astride the Kamye-Myingyan road. Two Companies of the 15th Punjab Regiment carried out successfully a wide encircling movement and established themselves on some high ground about one and a half miles in the rear of this enemy position. As all water supply points were within the enemy position it was vital that he should be dislodged. Gian Singh was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on the 16th October 1945. |
Iain Stewart, 18 September 2023