Introduction
Sardar Bahadur Ishar Singh VC, OBI (30 December 1895 – 2 December 1963) was a soldier in the British Indian Army and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Born at Nenwan, in Punjab, he was the first Sikh to receive the Victoria Cross.
Victoria Cross
Ishar Singh was 25 years old, and a sepoy in the 28th Punjabis, Indian Army during the Waziristan Campaign when, on 10 April 1921, near Haidari Kach he undertook the actions which led to the award of the VC. The citation was published in a supplement to the London Gazette of 25 November 1921:
He later achieved the rank of captain, and served in the Second World War. In addition to the Victoria Cross, he was awarded the prestigious Order of British India, First Class, which carried with it the title of "Sardar Bahadur."