Parkash Singh

He drove through enemy fire to rescue trapped carrier crews.

Parkash Singh was born in the Lyallpur district of Punjab on 31 March 1913. He grew up in a farming family and enlisted in the 8th Punjab Regiment in 1936. Service on the North-West Frontier preceded the Second World War. By the Burma campaign he was a havildar serving with the Bren-gun carriers of the 5th Battalion.

On 6 January 1943 near Donbaik on the Mayu Peninsula, two carriers were put out of action under Japanese fire. Parkash drove forward in his own carrier to rescue their crews. He covered their movement and brought the men to safety despite the danger to his vehicle and its occupants.

On 19 January further attacks left several carriers disabled on the exposed beach. He again went forward to recover stranded men. After bringing in two crews, he returned for another damaged vehicle containing his wounded platoon commander and a wounded driver. They could not be moved safely into his own carrier. Working in enemy fire, he connected a tow and hauled their vehicle back to cover.

The repeated rescues earned the Victoria Cross. The Viceroy presented it at the Red Fort in Delhi, and Parkash subsequently received a commission. After the partition of India in 1947 he transferred to the Indian Army. He helped families displaced by partition reach safety and continued his professional service, ultimately becoming a major.

Parkash retired in 1968 after more than three decades in uniform. He farmed near Jalandhar, raised four daughters and remained active in local affairs. In later life he participated in interviews about the Victoria Cross and his wartime experiences. He died in London on 23 March 1991 and was cremated at Golders Green. His family preserved the medals and personal objects associated with his service.