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Havildar Umrao Singh VC, in the Kaladan Valley, Burma, 15th December 1944
In 1984, I was commissioned by Lt General Sir William Pike and other retired officers to paint a picture of Havildar Umrao Singh, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1944. At the Royal Artillery Institution I had a meeting with Major-General B P Hughes, historian of the Royal Artillery, and Lt Colonel Charles MacFetridge, who had served with the Indian Mountain Artillery. Major (retired) IMG Williams, who commanded Singh’s battery in 1944, described his appearance, uniform and equipment to me, and the scene of the action. I was shown an example of the gun in the Rotunda museum of artillery.
In the Kaladan Valley on the evening of 15th December 1944, Havildar Umrao Singh was in charge of one gun in an advanced section of his battery, when it was subjected to heavy fire from 75-mm guns and mortars for one and a half hours prior to being attacked by two companies of Japanese. He so inspired his gun detachment with his personal example and encouragement to fight and defend the gun that they were able to beat off the attack with loss to the enemy. Twice wounded by grenades, he again held off three more attacks with small arms fire. Eventually, all the gun detachment had been killed or wounded with the exception of himself and two others. When the final attack came, the other gun having been overrun and all ammunition expended, he seized a gun bearer and closed with the enemy in furious hand-to-hand fighting. He was seen to knock down three Japanese, until he was overwhelmed and knocked senseless. Six hours later, when a counter-attack restored the position, he was found in an exhausted state beside his gun and almost unrecognisable with seven severe wounds and ten dead Japanese around him. By his personal example and magnificent bravery, Havildar Umrao Singh set a supreme example of gallantry and devotion to duty. His gun was in action again and firing later the same day.
He was the only Other Rank of the Royal Artillery and Indian Artillery to be awarded the Victoria Cross in World War II.
Singh, a Punjabi Ahir twenty four years old, was the No.1 of a 3.7 inch howitzer, which was designed to be dismantled and the parts carried on pack mules. The bearer is a shaft used for supporting the gun barrel while it is unscrewed. On the ground beside the gun are the leather ammunition boxes, and empty brass cartridge cases. The gunners all wore jungle green uniform with boots and puttees. They wore skeleton equipment and were armed with Sten guns. Singh’s head-dress was a pagri, worn in the style of the Ahir race.
General Pike travelled with a group of Indian Artillery veterans to present the painting to the Indian Artillery at Deolali, during a reunion to commemorate the Regiment’s 50th Anniversary.
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Owner: School of Artillery, Deolali, India
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