Gian Singh

Naik Gian Singh (5 October 1915 – 6 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.

Biography
Singh was born in Sahabpur, a village in the Nawanshahr district (Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar) of eastern Punjab. He was 29 years old, and a Naik in the 15th Punjab Regiment, in the Indian Army during World War II when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

''On 2 March 1945 on the road between Kamye and Myingyan, Burma (now Myanmar), where the Japanese were strongly positioned, Naik Gian Singh who was in charge of the leading section of his platoon, went on alone firing his tommy gun, and rushed the enemy foxholes. In spite of being wounded in the arm he went on, hurling grenades. He attacked and killed the crew of a cleverly concealed anti-tank gun, and then led his men down a lane clearing all enemy positions. He went on leading his section until the action had been satisfactorily completed.''

Singh was presented with his Victoria Cross by King George VI, in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 16 October 1945. Remaining with the Indian Army until retirement, he died in 1996.