United we stood

The amazing contribution of millions from the subcontinent

- BY SANJEETA BAINS

Naik Gian Singh was 50 yards from the enemy foxhole and could see several Japanese soldiers and an anti-tank gun. He knew that if he tried to run back he would not survive.

As he has told his son Charanjit Singh Sangha, he thought: "I am going to die now, so I might as well do something."

Gian Singh was awarded the Victoria Cross in October 1945 after rushing enemy foxholes in central Burma with his Tommy gun and, despite being injured, continuing to throw in grenades, before charging the anti-tank crew, killing them and capturing their gun.

He had been serving in the 15th Punjab Regiment one of the 2.5 million Indian Muslim, Hindu and Sikh men who made up the largest volunteer army in history.

His son Charanjit tells the Mirror: "My father came to England to collect his Victoria Cross from King George VI at Buckingham Palace. It was a very proud moment for him but also very sad, because he lost a lot of his friends in Burma. Growing up, my dad used to get emotional whenever he talked about it."