Memoir – 1677 Reservist Rattan Singh of 1/90th Punjabi’s – decorated WORLD WAR HERO
(This is the story of my Great Grandfather)
Rattan Singh was born in village ‘Balianwali’ now in Dist Bhatinda (Punjab) erstwhile Jind Estate in the year 1885. He joined the then British India Army and during his service remained posted mostly in Burma (now Myanmar) which was part of the then British India Empire. There were 2-big cantonments, Rangoon being one of them, where he served under the British Raj. While in Burma, he lost his wife (my great grandmother).
Later when the world was engulfed in World War (1914–19), he was sent to fight for British India Army to Persia known as ‘The Persian Campaign’ or ‘Invasion of Persia’ also known as Invasion of Iran, as a part of Middle Eastern theater of world war 1. During this time, he had to leave behind his 2 children (a daughter and son) with his sister in India.
The British India Army had several units located in the southern influence zone and Britain had extensive experience and upper edge in dealing with tribal forces because of the Indian experience and Indian troops. His platoon was surrounded by the troops from the central powers for almost 20-days and they remained without food and water. During this time, they lived mostly on sweet Potatoes.
He fought valiantly against the Central Powers and demonstrated a high level of commitment, courage and team work despite sustaining serious gun injury to his right leg. His platoon succeeded in pushing back the enemy and secured the territory
In recognition of his distinguished service during the great War (1914–19), His Excellency the Viceroy And Governor General in India, on dated 20-July 1920, granted him ‘2-maraba’ (50 acre) agriculture land in village chak No 200 G.B. Dist Lyallpur (now Faisalabad in Pakistan).
With his pension of INR 75.00 per month, he worked hard to make the land good for cultivation, all by himself without any outside support and brought up and raised his family. He spent next 27 years at his new home in Chak No 200GB
PATITION OF INDIA
However, when the partition of India took place in the year 1947, he was forced to migrate to his ancestral village ‘Balianwali’ in India leaving behind his land and other property, that he had raised with great passion and hard work. Imagine the state of mind of a soldier who had to flee his own homeland for which he once fought against its enemies. The partition of British India in August 1947 was full of savagery and pain. It is one of the bloodiest episodes of sub-continental history.
Radcliffe divided India geographically like slicing a cucumber with a knife thus inflicted a wound which never healed
There were unspeakable horrors committed in the name of religion. There were riots and bloodshed. Bungalows, mansions, and villages were looted and burned to the ground. Countless women and young girls raped, and thousands of children killed in front of their siblings. Neighbors slaughtered each other; childhood friends became sworn enemies. Millions of people moved to what they hoped would be safer territory, with Muslims heading towards Pakistan, and Hindus and Sikhs in the opposite direction towards India. Sensing danger, he arranged for transportation of his grandson via a military truck to ‘Hussainiwala’ border, in Dist Ferozepur, India, to ensure safe passage of at least one member of his ‘clan’ even if they are all killed by the frenzy mob
Back home in village Chak No 200 GB, all Sikhs and Hindus (from the neighboring villages as well) got together and with whatever meager belongings they could gather, started a ‘caravan’ in the form of bullock carts towards border with India. The convoy consisted mostly of bullock carts, with women, young girls, children and the aged. All the men escorting the convoy bore arms like swords, axe, machetes, and clubs — anything they could hold to protect themselves . It took him almost 1-month to cross over to India via a flooded ‘Ravi’ river and reach ‘Balianwali’ to his ancestral village in India. The house that he had built came handy, there were leftover stocks of few grains and haystacks for human and cattle consumption, but he had no money, as all his wealth and belongings were robbed by the mob back in Pakistan.
Overnight he became penniless. Having lost all his land and wealth, with just one rupee coin in his pocket, he became heartbroken and went into his shell. He passed away in the year 1948. His absence was felt for generations down and his stories still regale our dinner table conversations. He was a true legend.
Rattan Singh, the gallant warrior, thank you for your dedication. For your service. For your sacrifice. For your legacy.