Gian Singh

Gian Singh (5 October 19206 October 1996) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life Singh was born into a Jat Sikh family in Shahabpur (also spelt Sahabpur), a village in the Nawanshahr district (now, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district) of eastern Punjab. He enlisted in the British Indian Army in 1937.

Details He was 24 years old, and a Naik in the 15th Punjab Regiment in the British Indian Army, when during the Burma Campaign 1944–45 of World War II he performed the deeds for which he was awarded the VC. The citation reads:

Singh received a mention in dispatches later that year. He was presented with his Victoria Cross by King George VI, in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 16 October 1945.

Later life Despite wounds to his leg which left him in pain until his death, followed by promotion to subedar on 21 December 1961. He saw action in both the 1962 Sino-Indian War and in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Promoted to subedar major on 15 June 1967, Singh retired from the army in August 1969 with the honorary rank of captain. He died in 1996.

The medal Singh's medals, including his Victoria Cross, are held by his son Charanjit Sangha, who lives in Scotland.

Awards