Sikh Faces of the First World War: A Military Inheritance.
The stories in this series span the full gamut of war experiences, from unlucky prisoners of war to privileged flyers. Today we tell a story of distinguished service spanning over 200 years.
Subedar-Major and Honorary Captain Man Singh came from a distinguished line of soldiers.
Originally from the Gujranwala District - the birthplace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh - his ancestors held responsible mansabs under the Lahore court during the days of Sikh rule in Punjab.
His great-grandfather, Sardar Hukam Singh, was killed in the Battle of Mudki during the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46). Hukam Singh’s younger brother, Sardar Jagat Singh, fell fighting the British at the Battle of Chillianwalla in the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-49).
After the Punjab was annexed, the family took service in the British Indian Army, and had 23 serving and retired members during the period between 1860-1920, including seven viceroy's commissioned officers.
He himself enlisted in the 29th Punjabis in 1890 and was commissioned in 1906. During the First World War the 29th Punjabis served with distinction in the German East Africa and later in Palestine, where it fought in the Battle of Megiddo, which led to the annihilation of Turkish Army in Palestine.
In the photograph, taken around 1938, when he was a honorary magistrate and vice president of the Gujranwala District Soldiers Board, he wears an impressive sting of decorations, starting with the India General Service 1854-95 with clasp Samana 1891, and ending with George V’s silver jubilee medal of 1935.
Visible on his chest are three World War one medals: the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
For distinguished war services, he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Cross and OBI, made an Honorary Captain and granted a jagir.
Man Singh’s son was to serve in 1-11 Sikhs in Burma in World War Two, while his grandson is today a serving Group Captain in the Indian Air Force.
Join us in uncovering more stories and supporting and assisting our research as UKPHA embarks on an exciting new project 'Empire, Faith & War: The Sikhs and World War One'.
Picture credit: Click here