Description
Physical description
circular silver medal bearing on the obverse the crowned head of King George VI facing left. The whole surrounded by the legend 'GEORGIVS VI D.G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP:'. On the reverse the legend 'FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE'. The whole surrounded by a wreath of laurel. Medal is suspended from a ribbon with a central vertical dark red stripe with two edge stripes in dark blue. Ornate swivelling suspender. This example is named to the recipient as follows: '16266 NK. GURBAKSH SINGH, 9-14 PUNJAB R.'.
History note
Havildar Gurbakhsh Singh, then a Naik, was serving with 9/14 Punjab Regiment, Indian Army, when he was awarded the Indian Distinguished Service Medal (IDSM). On 9 February 1945, during the fighting in the Arakan, Burma, at Dathwekark Chaung Road, during the attack on a Japanese position, Gurbakhsh Singh was a Section commander in the leading platoon of one of the two forward companies. In spite of very heavy casualties caused by accurate and heavy enemy fire this NCO led his section with outstanding skill and bravery right on to the top of the enemy's bunkers. On arrival there, when all but two of his sections had become casualties, he closely engaged the enemy and thereby greatly assisted the rest of his company to continue the advance. He remained in this very exposed position until eventually ordered to withdraw some two hours later. He displayed magnificent courage and a complete disregard for his own safety. His personal example proved an inspiration to all ranks who saw him, and his skill and ability had a marked effect in assisting the remainder of the attackers to advance.
The Indian Distinguished Service Medal was instituted by Royal Warrant dated 25 June 1907. See also the IWM's Department of Art that holds a fine oil portrait of Havildar Gurbakhsh Singh by the artist Leslie Cole (see reference: IWM ART LD 5616). The artist spent ten days in July 1945 with the battalion, making two portraits in oils and two pencil sketches of VCOs. See also the medals of Major G A Harwood-Barnes (OMD 2876-2880) who served in the same battalion.
Impressed (on rim)
16266 NK. GURBAKSH SINGH, 9-14 PUNJAB R.