The fine and rare Burma Gallantry Medal group of four to Acting Company Havildar Major Fateh Khan, 1st Battalion, The Burma Regiment for his actions on the night of 14th/15th March 1945 when during the mopping up operations after the seizure of Point 1788 and despite being wounded, he killed three Japanese who had survived the initial operation and were still defending a strongly built building. During a heavy Japanese counter-attack and despite his wound he visited every post on the position under a hail of enemy Grenade Discharger and Small Arms Fire, whin it was feared the enemy had breached the perimeter, he confirmed this and personally killed two of the Japanese who had already infiltrated. During the 36 hours of the operations and despite his wound warranting it, he steadfastly refused that any particular attention be paid to it and displayed tenacity and courage of the highest order.
Group of 4: Burma Gallantry Medal, GVIR, 1st type bust; named in finely impressed sans-serif capital (51038 A./COY. HAVILDAR -MAJOR FATEH KHAN. THE BURMA REGT) 1939-1945 Star; Burma Star; War Medal.
Condition: Very Fine
Acting Company Havildar-Major Fatek Khan, The Burma Regiment was awarded the Burma Gallantry Medal in the London Gazette of 2nd August 1945.
Fateh Khan a Punjabi Muslim originating from the village of Khandowa in Pind Dadan Khan Tehsil in the district of Jhelum was serving with the 1st Battalion, The Burma Regiment, 33rd Indian Infantry Brigade, 7th Indian Division was recommended for an immediate award of the Indian Distinguished Service Medal, which would later be changed to a Burma Gallantry Medal. The original recommendation states:
‘Coy Havildar Major Fateh Khan was wounded during the mopping up operations after the seizure of Pt.1788. Despite his wound he personally killed three more Japanese who were survivors and still defending a strongly built building. During the day the Company on the position were subjected to constant enemy sniping and fire from Grenade Dischargers. Coy.Hav.Major Fateh Khan was indefatigable in encouraging those were digging the defences and in keeping up morale generally. During the night 14/15 March 1945 the position was heavily counter-attacked in considerable strength. It was imperative to ascertain the situation and despite his wound Coy.Hav Major Fateh Khan volunteered to leave his trench and through a hail of enemy Grenade Discharger and Small Arms fire he visited every post on the position. Later it was feared that the enemy had penetrated a part of the Perimeter. Coy.Hav.Major Fateh Khan went forward to confirm, he found that this was unfortunately so and personally killed two of the Japanese who had already infiltrated. He exhorted the men to hang on and returned to report the situation to his Coy. Commander.
Throughout the 36 hours during which this action lasted and although his wound warranted it, Coy.Hav. Major Fateh Khan steadfastly refused that any particular attention be paid to it and displayed a very high degree of initiative, endurance, tenacity and courage of a very high order. Strongly recommended for the award of the IDSM.’
When Burma ceased to be a province of British India in 1937 and became a separate colony, a distinct gallantry medal was required for its armed forces. In response, the Burma Gallantry Medal was established by royal warrant on 10 May 1940.
Between 26 March 1942 and 28 November 1947, a total of 207 medals and 3 clasps were awarded. In addition to the medal, recipients were entitled to a monthly monetary allowance, paid for life.
The medal became obsolete when Burma gained independence on 4 January 1948, this thus a scarce award.