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Sikh-Briton World War II Hero Laid To Rest

by LEICESTER MERCURY & BBC

 

 

 

A Sikh-Briton war veteran who was "respected by all who met him" has been laid to rest in his adopted home town.

Family and friends from as far afield as Australia, Botswana and India gathered in Leicester on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, for the funeral of Sardar Harnam Singh.

Described as a pillar of the community, both  in Leicester and his native Punjab, Harnam died last month, aged 84.

Son Armarjit Singh, who now lives in Perth, Australia, said: "My father was a great soldier and absolutely fearless as a man - spiritually, physically, morally - in every sense.

"Everything he did came straight from the heart. He was much-loved and respected by all who met him."

Harnam Singh was born into a farming family in the village of Lasara in Punjab and as a teenager fought on the frontline against the Japanese with the British Indian Army in Burma.

He distinguished himself through his bravery as a tank gunner with the 8th King George V Own Light Cavalry during the campaign.

Harnam Singh enrolled in the army in 1944 as a Sowar in a horsed cavalry. He received training at the centres at Lucknow, Babina and Ferozpur under the command of Colonel H.M.Tallaq and Colonel King. Then, after passing training as a crew gunner operator of a Sherman tank, he was posted in the 8th King George V’s Own Light Cavalry in Burma under Allied Services.

His unit, which also included 1 Sikh Squadron, consisted of Stuart Tanks and his commanding officer was Lt. Col. P.St. John Cox. They served under 17th Infantry Division at Meiktila.

They helped re-capture Burma from the Japanese, and took a large number of Japanese as prisoners of war. 

He went on to have a successful career in the Indian Army following independence until his retirement, ranked honorary lieutenant, in 1973.
 
His two sons also served in the army: one as a Captain in Signals and the other as a Major in the artillery, who trained to be a helicopter pilot as well.

Harnam Singh became a British citizen, in 1992, when he moved to Leicester, living in Spinney Hills with his wife Daljit Kaur, 82.

For the past six years , the couple lived at the home of their eldest daughter, Balbir Kaur Jabbal, on Welford Road.

Balbir, 52, said: "It's hard to say goodbye to someone who was so strong. He was a war hero but also my hero too. We all loved and miss him, my mother especially."

Mourners gathered at the family home at Welford Road in the morning to sing hymns and recite prayers from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scripture.

His funeral, attended by more than 150 people, took place at Gilroes Crematorium, where granddaughters Aman Preet Kaur, 30, from Australia, and Gaggan Kaur Jabbal, 12, from Leicester, each gave an address to the congregation.

The service was followed by further hymns and prayers at a celebration of Harnam Singh's life at the Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadar, at East Park Road, Spinney Hills.

Son Dr. Maninderjit Singh Pabla, 58, from Punjab, said: "My father was a disciplinarian, a hard worker and an intelligent person who had a flair for helping people."

"He paid for health clinics for villagers back in Lasara and set up a scholarship for hard-working students at the local school.

"In Leicester, he also devoted his time to helping others, including many elderly people who spoke little English.

"One of his proudest moments was meeting the Queen during a visit to Leicester in the 1994."

Daughter Kulwant Kaur, 50, from Botswana, said: "I was so proud of my father.

"He was a true community leader and happiest when helping others."

Surinderpal Singh Rai, general secretary of the Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadar, said: "Harnam was a charismatic, jolly character who will be missed by all."

Harnam Singh died at home on January 25, 2012, after suffering from bladder cancer for two years.

 

February 6, 2012

 

Conversation about this article

1: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), February 06, 2012, 8:46 AM.

Another Sikh military hero of World War II! May he rest in peace in the arms of Waheguru!

2: William Drysdale (Nottingham, England), February 06, 2012, 10:04 AM.

These are the heroes some people forget. They fought in the great wars for freedom and democracy. R.I.P., brave warrior, and may you be embraced at the gates of heaven!

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