Major Risal Singh

Major Risal Singh Joon

Major Risal Singh (Joon) (d. 21 June 1940) is recipient of Military Cross. He was in Indian Army MC, 3/9 The Jat Regiment, commissioned in 1938. He was son of the author of the book History of the Jats. He was from Nuna Mazra village in Rohtak district in Haryana,

In Middle East

In 1940 the battalion was in the Middle East. At one time the Germans surrounded his battalion. He deployed his machine gun company, in the most threatened position and enabled the battalion to withdraw safely. His position was overrun. When the Germans came near he feigned death, and escaped detection. Once they had passed he started his carrier and escaped.

In the 5h Indian infantry Division Burma

On his return form the Middle East he was posted to Army Headquarters but he volunteered to go with his Battalion to Burma, with the 5h Indian infantry Division.

At Mauglaw, he led a brilliant company attack and in hand to hand fighting, both sides suffered heavily, and the enemy had to withdraw. During this action Major Risal Singh was wounded by an enemy hand grenade. He was awarded the Military Cross and two of his Havildars; (Non commissioned Officers) were awarded Military medals.

During the 5th Indian Divisions advance form Imphal to Kohima to link up with the garrison there, the famous feature Singhbhum was help by the enemy and a brigade-sized attack was being proposed. Major Risal Singh took out a strong Patrol to find out the strength of the enemy dispositions. He found that the feature was not as strongly defended as had been reported. He on his owns initiative carried out an attack and captured Singhbhum. He was wounded again but refused to be evacuated beyond the MDS. He was awarded a Bar to his Military Cross for this action.

The Battalion attacked the hilly trenches of the enemy on the Imphal Kohima road, on June 20th but the enemy repulsed the attack with heavy casualties to the ‘A’ Coy of the Jats. The enemy position was again attacked on June 21. ‘B’ Coy of the Jats under the command of Major Risal Singh was in front of special Ni.1 picket. The machine guns of the enemy were silenced and captured. At the moment when Major Risal Singh was planning a further advance he was hit by machine gun fire on the head and gave his life bravely.

Col. Girty recommended for Victoria Cross

The Commanding Officer Col. Girty recommended his name for the ward of a Victoria Cross but that was not to materialize. Commanding Officer Girty sent a condolence letter, which reads:

"You will be distressed to know, but being a veteran you will compose yourself that your son, Major Risal Singh, has died for a noble cause in performing the sacred duty. I have lost one of my trustworthy companions. I have not seen such a gallant man, as Risal Singh in my service, which never cared for his life while doing his duty. There has been a great vacuum in the Battalion which cannot be filled by British or Indian Officers."

To receive this news of the tragic death of his brave son, must have come as a quite a shock, but the author took it stoically. As a tribute to both father and son, we putting this article for wider circulation. Had he lived, this promising officer, would risen to a very high position in the Indian Army.

Notes

Note: The above account was written by Lt. Ram Swarup Joon, the father of Major Risal Singh, in this book “History of the Jats”.

References

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