Sher Shah Awan

He broke three attacks, fighting on after losing his own leg

Sher Shah Awan was born at Chakrala near Mianwali in the Punjab on 14 February 1917. He married Mehr Bhari and served as a lance-naik in the 7th Battalion,16th Punjab Regiment, during the Burma campaign.

On the night of 19-20 January 1945 at Kyeyebyin in the Kaladan valley, his section came under attack from a much larger Japanese force. Sher Shah slipped behind the attackers and fired into them, breaking up the assault before returning to his post.

When the enemy regrouped, he again crawled forward and disrupted their preparations. A mortar bomb shattered his right leg as he returned. He continued firing and encouraging his men, minimizing his injury. When a third attack formed, he crawled out once more and fired at close range until it broke up. He was then shot through the head and died.

His actions prevented the platoon's position from being overrun and brought a posthumous Victoria Cross. He had no later service or civilian life. His name is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial.

Official Victoria Cross citation

In Burma, on the night 19th-20th January, 1945, at Kyeyebyin Kaladan, Lance-Naik Sher Shah commanded the left forward section of his platoon. At 1930 hours a Japanese platoon attacked his post. Realising that overwhelming numbers would probably destroy his section, he, by himself, stalked the enemy from their rear and broke up their attack by firing into their midst. He killed the Platoon Commander and six other Japanese and, after their withdrawal, crawled back to his section post. At 0015 the Japanese, who were now reinforced with a Company, started to form up for another attack. He heard their officers giving orders, and bayonets being fixed prior to the assault. Again he left his section post and, in spite of Japanese covering fire from small arms and mortars, crawled forward and saw Japanese officers and men grouped together. He fired into this group and they again broke up and started to withdraw in disorder. Whilst on his way back for the second time he was hit by a mortar bomb, which shattered his right leg. He regained his position and, propping himself against the side of the trench, continued firing and encouraging his men. When asked whether he was hurt, he replied that it was only slight. Some time afterwards it was discovered that his right leg was missing. The Japanese again started forming up for another attack. In spite of his severe wounds and considerable loss of blood, and very heavy Japanese supporting fire, Lance-Naik Sher Shah again left his section post and crawled forward, firing into their midst at point blank range. He continued firing until for the third time the Japanese attack was broken up, and until he was shot through the head, from which he subsequently died. Twenty-three dead and four wounded Japanese, including an officer, were found in daylight, immediately in front of his position. His initiative and indomitable courage throughout this very critical situation undoubtedly averted the over-running of his platoon, and was the deciding factor in defeating the Japanese attacks. His supreme self-sacrifice, disregard for danger and selfless devotion to duty, were an inspiration to all his comrades throughout the Battalion.

(Supplement to The London Gazette of 4 May 1945. 8 May 1945, Numb. 37066, p. 2393)