Subedar Malu Singh

He served in the British Indian Army in 3rd Sikh (Frontier Force). He first enlisted in the Bengal Army on 19 May 1874. He was first appointed a Native Officer (Viceroy’s Commissioned Officer, or VCO) on, 23 February 1885, when he was appointed a Jemadar. Per the Indian Army List of January 1897, he is shown under the regimental lists as being the most senior of the Jemadar’s in 3rd Sikh (Frontier Force), and at which time he also held the appointment of Native Adjutant – a position of considerable importance & prestige – which he had held since, 7 April 1887. The Indian Army List of 1 April 1897, shows Malu Singh under the regimental lists, having been promoted and holding the appointment of ‘Subadar’ which he had been appointed effective, 10 September 1896.

Army Service Record: The recipient, Subadar Malu Singh, later a Viceroy’s Commissioned Officer (or VCO) is confirmed as serving in all 3 x campaigns commemorated by the clasps per the War Services’ section of the Indian Army List issue of January 1897, where his services are recorded as:

• N.-W. Frontier of India, Jowaki, 1877-78, – Medal and clasp
• Afghanistan 1880, Medal and 2 clasps, – Bronze Star
• Mari Expedition, 1880
• N.-W. Frontier of India, 1st and 2nd Miranzai, 1891. Clasp
• N.-W. Frontier of India, Waziristan, 1894-95.

Indian General Service Medal 1854-1895. Silver ssue with 3 x clasps ‘Jowaki 1877-8’, ‘Samana 1891’ & ‘Waziristan 1894-5’ (Sepoy Mullu Singh, 3rd Sikh Infantry.)

Dargai Heights Battle: On the day of battle the British and Indian troops lost 38 x ‘All-Ranks’ killed & 158 x ‘Wounded-in-Action’. The London Gazette issue of , 1 March 1898, records that the 3rd Sikhs suffered the below following casualties at Dargai, on 20 October 1897:

• 4 x Officers (British & Indian): Wounded, this included Malu Singh – the only one to be mortally wounded
• 3 x NCO’s & Other ranks: Killed-in-Action
• 16 x NCO’s & Other ranks: Wounded-in-Action

Indian Orders of Merit: Both of the other Indian Officers who were wounded at Dargai were each decorated with the 3rd Class of the Indian Order of Merit, viz Subadar Lehna Singh & Jemadar Beli Ram. In total the 3rd Sikhs, who ‘Stormed the Dargai Heights’ together with the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, were awarded a total of 8 x Indian Orders of Merit (all 3rd class awards) – testimony to the intensity of the fighting at that great frontier battle. Significantly three of those IOM’s were awarded to Indian soldier’s of the 3rd Sikhs who went to the gallant assistance of Subadar Malu Singh, vis, 1151 Havildar Moti, 2196 Sepoy Devi Singh & 2555 Sepoy Gopi. No less then four Victoria Crosses were awarded to the British Army for ‘Dargai’ including those to Piper George Findlater & Private Edward Lawson of the Gordon Highlanders, together with those to Lieutenant Henry Singleton Pennell, Derbyshire Regiment & Private Samuel Vickery, Dorsetshire

Died-of-Wounds ‘Storming of the Dargai Heights’: Subadar Malu Singh 3rd Regiment of Sikh Infantry (Punjab Frontier Force) was dangerously wounded on 20 October 1897, at the ‘Storming of the Dargai Heights’, by ‘Gunshot to the Abdomen’, and died of wounds 4 x days later on 24 October 1897 – enduring what would have been a period of severe lingering pain and discomfort.

Gallantry Quote “For conspicuous gallantry in action at Dargai, on the 20th October 1897, in having during the final assault on the Dargai heights, carried out of action Subedar Malu Singh, who was mortally wounded, and afterwards recrossed the fireswept zone to rejoin their company, carrying men forward with them.” Unquote