Sikh Faces of the First World War: Badges of Honour
Subedar-Major Lal Singh of the 14th Ferozepore Sikhs lived in the village of Baibal in the district of Ferozepore. He enrolled into the British Indian Army on 18 July 1887 as a sepoy. He moved up the ranks, first to the rank of Naik in February 1896 and then to Havildar in January 1899.
During World War One he was a Subedar-Major (the highest infantry rank that an Indian could reach in the British Indian Army) in the 14th Sikhs. He was one of those killed in action on 4 June 1915 during the Third Battle of Krithia, Gallipoli. His name is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.
His medal group includes:
- India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1894-5 (1520 Sepoy Lal Singh, 14th Bl. Infy.)
- India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (1520 Naick Lal Singh, 14th Sikhs)
- 1914-15 Star (Sub. Maj. Lal Singh, 14/Sikhs.)
- British War and Victory Medals (Sub-Maj. Lal Singh, 14 Sikhs)
- Coronation 1902, bronze, unnamed
- Delhi Durbar 1911, silver (Sub-Maj. Lal Singh, 14th Sikhs)
Picture credit: Dix Noonan Webb, 'Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria Sale Catalogue' (19-20 September 2013)