Editing Ishar Singh

{{Short description|Recipient of the Victoria Cross}}
{{other people}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
| name          = Ishar Havildar Singh
| image         = Ishar Singh VC.jpg
| caption       = Captain Ishar Singh
| birth_date    = {{birth date|1896|12|30|df=yes}}
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|1963
|12|2|1895|12|30|df=yes}}
| birth_place   = [[Nainwa]], [[Bundi State]]
| death_place   = [[Nainwa]], [[Bundi district]], [[Rajasthan]]
| placeofburial = 
| nickname      = 
| allegiance    = {{flag|British India|23px}}
| branch        = {{army|British India|23px}}
| serviceyears  = 1914-1945
| rank          = [[Captain (land)|Captain]]
| unit          = [[28th Punjabis]]
| commands      = 
| battles       = [[First World War]]<br>[[Waziristan campaign (1919–1920)|First Waziristan Campaign]]<br/>[[Second World War]]
|
}}

'''Sardar Bahadur Ishar Singh''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]], [[Order of British India|OBI]] (30 December 1895 – 2 December 1963)<ref>Ashcroft, pp. 99 and 101.</ref> was a soldier in the [[British Indian Army]] and a recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]], the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces. Born at Nainwa, he was the first [[Sikh]] to receive the Victoria Cross.<ref name=Ashcroft99>Ashcroft, p. 99.</ref>

==Victoria Cross==
He was 25 years old, and a [[sepoy]] in the [[28th Punjabis]], [[Indian Army]] during the [[Waziristan campaign 1919–1920|Waziristan Campaign]] when, on 10 April 1921, near Haidari Kach he undertook the actions which led his senior officer, Captain Bernard Oddie, to recommend him for the award of a VC. The citation was published in a supplement to the ''[[London Gazette]]'' of 25 November 1921:<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=32530|supp=y|page=9609|date=25 November 1921}}</ref>

{{cquote|''War Office, 25th&nbsp;November, 1921.''

[[George V of the United Kingdom|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 Army

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 10th&nbsp;April, 1921, near Haidari Kach (Waziristan). When the convoy protection troops were attacked, this Sepoy was No. l of a Lewis Gun- Section. Early in the action he received a very severe gunshot wound in the chest, and fell beside
his Lewis gun. Hand-to-hand fighting having commenced, the British officer, Indian officer, and all the [[Havildar]]s of his company were either killed or wounded, and his Lewis gun was seized by the enemy.

Calling up two other men he got up, charged the enemy, recovered the Lewis gun, and, although, bleeding profusely, again got the gun into action.

When his [[Jemadar]] arrived he took the gun from Sepoy Ishar Singh, and ordered him to go back and have his wound dressed.

Instead of doing this the Sepoy went to the medical officer, and was of great assistance in pointing out where the wounded were, and in carrying water to them. He made innumerable journeys to the river and back for this purpose. On one occasion, when the enemy fire was very heavy, he took the rifle of a wounded man and helped to keep down the fire. On another occasion he stood in front
of the medical officer who was dressing, a wounded man, thus shielding him with his body. It was over three hours before he finally submitted to be evacuated, being then too weak from loss of blood to object.

His gallantry and devotion to duty were beyond praise. His conduct inspired all who saw him.}}

He later achieved the rank of [[Captain (land and air)|captain]],<ref name=Ashcroft99>Ashcroft, p. 99.</ref> and served in the [[Second World War]].<ref name="britishempire.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=http://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/indianinfantry/28thpunjabissingh.htm|title=The British Empire, Imperialism, Colonialism, Colonies}}</ref> 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]]."<ref name="britishempire.co.uk"/>

His medal is held in the collection of Lord Ashcroft.<ref name="conservativehome.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2016/06/lord-ashcroft-why-i-feel-so-privileged-to-take-possession-of-the-first-vc-awarded-to-a-muslim.html|title = Lord Ashcroft: Why I feel so privileged to take possession of the first Victoria Cross awarded to a Muslim}}</ref>
==State Honours==
*{{flag|United Kingdom}}:
**[[File:UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg|60px]] [[Victoria Cross]]
*{{flag|British India}}:
**[[File:OBI 1838-1939.jpg|60px]] [[Order of British India]]

==References==

===Footnotes===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Ashcroft |first=Michael |title=Victoria Cross Heroes |year=2007 |publisher=Headline Review |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-1633-5}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20020618051722/http://haynese.winthrop.edu/india/medals/VC/WISingh.html Ishar Singh]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Ishar}}
[[Category:People from Punjab Province (British India)]]
[[Category:People from Bundi State]]
[[Category:1890s births]]
[[Category:1963 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:British Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:British military personnel of the Waziristan Campaign]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Sardar Bahadurs]]