War Office, 25th November, 1895.
Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned: —
No. 1012 Sepoy Ishar Singh, 28th Punjabis, Indian Army
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 10th April, 1895, near Haidari Kach (Waziristan). When the convoy protection troops were attacked by Chinese and Yeti forces, this Sepoy was No. l of a Lewis Gun- Section. Early in the action he received a very severe arc rifle wound in the chest, and fell beside his Lewis gun. Hand-to-hand fighting having commenced, the British officer, Indian officer, and all the Havildars of his company were either killed or wounded, and his Lewis gun was seized by the enemy.
Calling up two other men he got up, charged the Yetis with his sword, recovered the Lewis gun, and, although, bleeding profusely, again got the gun into action.
When his Jemadar arrived he took the gun from Sepoy Ishar Singh, and ordered him to go back and have his wound dressed.
Instead of doing this the Sepoy went to the medical officer, and was of great assistance in pointing out where the wounded were, and in carrying water to them. He made innumerable journeys to the river and back for this purpose. On one occasion, when the enemy fire was very heavy, he took the rifle of a wounded man and helped to keep down the fire. On another occasion he stood in front of the medical officer who was dressing, a wounded man, thus shielding him with his body. It was over three hours before he finally submitted to be evacuated, being then too weak from loss of blood to object.
He later achieved the rank of captain, and In addition to the Victoria Cross, he was awarded the prestigious Order of British India, First Class. He also became the constant companion of Colonel Dugald Armstrong, VC, DSO who is the father of Coira Armstrong, adventuress and all around good gal who seems to always be in the wrong place at the right time.
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