ਮੈਲਬੌਰਨ ਵਸਦੇ ਗੁਰਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੂਰਵਜ ਸਰਦਾਰ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਈਸ਼ਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੀ ਬਹਾਦਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਕਿੱਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਸਮਰਪਣ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਜ ਵੀ ਯਾਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ।
1921 ਵਿੱਚ ਵਜ਼ੀਰਸਤਾਨ ਦੀ ਲੜਾਈ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਈਸ਼ਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੂੰ ਬਹਾਦਰੀ ਬਦਲੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਕਟੋਰੀਆ ਕ੍ਰਾਸ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ।
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Sardar Bahadur Ishar Singh was the first Sikh soldier to win a Victoria Cross
SBS Punjabi
12/09/201809:22
Read this story in English:
On a day when Sikh soldiers from the Battle of Saragarhi are commemorated for their bravery, Melbourne-based descendants of Captain Ishar Singh remember him as the first Sikh soldier to win a Victoria Cross- the highest battle honour in the British Empire.
Trying to keep his great grandfather's memories alive, Gurdarshan Singh took his daughter to the Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne earlier this year.
“I told my daughter that it is important that we remember the stories of valour and pride that our forefathers shared with us,” said Mr Singh.
“We’re from the family of the legend named Ishar Singh who was the first Sikh soldier to receive prestigious Victoria Cross.
Sardar Bahadur Capt Ishar Singh is also claimed to be the first non-British soldier to receive the Victoria Cross for his acts of bravery during a military campaign.
Gurdarshan Singh took his daughter to the Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne earlier this year. Source: Supplied
Ishar Singh (then 25) was a Sepoy in the 28th Punjabis, Indian Army during the Waziristan Campaign when, on 10 April 1921, he displayed remarkable gallantry for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Captain Ishar Singh is the first Sikh soldier to win a Victoria Cross. Source: Supplied
“Each year on 12 September, we remember the sacrifice of 21 Sikh soldiers who were led by Havildar Isher Singh. But some people out of ignorance share our great grandfather Captain Ishar Singh’s photographs,” he adds.
“They both had the same name of Ishar Singh. Their circumstances and the act of valour is also quite similar given they fought with bravery despite being outnumbered against the tribesman fighting for the British army in the same region.”
The citation depicting the bravery that led Ishar Singh to Victoria Cross was published in a supplement to the of 25 November 1921.
The details published in the London Gazette of 25 November 1921. Source: Supplied
| | "War Office, 25th November, 1921. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned: —No. 1012 Sepoy Ishar Singh, 28th Punjabis, Indian ArmyFor most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 10th April,1921, near Haidari Kach (Waziristan). His gallantry and devotion to duty were beyond praise. His conduct inspired all who saw him." | |
The Waziristan campaign was a military campaign conducted in Waziristan by British and Indian forces against the fiercely independent tribesmen that inhabited this region.
These operations were conducted in 1919–20, following the unrest that arose in the aftermath of the third Anglo-Afghan War.
Ishar Singh later attained the rank of captain and also served in the Second World War.
In addition to the Victoria Cross, he was awarded the prestigious Order of British India, First Class, which carried with it the title of 'Sardar Bahadur'.
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