Subadar Ramswarup Singh IDSM

Ramswarup Singh was born in 1876 and died in 1970. He served in the 97th Deccan Infantry in WW1 in the Mesopotamia theatre of war. He was wounded at the battle of Hana on 21 Jan 1916 and after his recovery rejoined the regiment in Afghanistan. Before Mesopotamia he was in Uganda and was an instructor in Panchmarhi. He distinguished himself at the battle of Wadi on 13 Jan 1916 and awarded the Indian Distinguished Service Medal. During WW2 he worked in publicity and recruitment and awarded medals for that service. In retirement he wrote his memoirs of his experiences in Mesopotamia (in Hindi) which are in the possession of his grandson Ananya Gautam. The photo was taken c1960 when he was about 85, wearing his old officer’s uniform. His medals are picture below.

Medals of Subadar Ramswarup Singh

The seven medals, with original ribbons, awarded to Subadar Singh cover the two world wars:
The left hand medal is the British War Medal 1914-1920.
The India General Service Medal 1908-1935 with a clasp for AFGHANISTAN N.W.F. 1919 for his service in the Third Afghan War.
Indian Recruiting Badge issued for his work during WW2. The medal is bronze and silver and has a green ribbon with a thin yellow and a thin red line. The centre has the head of King George VI and the wording FOR RECRUITING.
The WW1 Victory Medal.
Indian Distinguished Service Medal (IDSM) silver with a blue, red, blue ribbon.
1914-1915 Star. No ribbon but should have a red white and blue watered ribbon.
Above this star is one of his rank stars.
Silver medal inscribed: PRESENTED BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR U.P. In the centre the arms of Uttar Pradesh (the wavy lines represent the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers at Allahabad. The two Matsya fish represent the former muslim rulers of Oudh. The bow and arrow represent the Hindu god Rama who was born in Ayodhya. The ribbon is normally worn with the War Medal 1939-45.

Regimental details | Soldiers