Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, July 1
Punjab’s World War-II hero and last Military Cross awardee Colonel Daljit Singh Randhawa (retd) died in Hoshiarpur today. He was 95.He is survived by his 92-year-old wife Satwant Kaur, two sons — Col Jasjit Singh Randhawa (retd) and Major Amanjit Singh Randhawa (retd) — and two daughters. His elder son-in-law Saravjit Singh Hothi retired as Air Vice-Marshal, while younger son-in-law Col HPS Pannu (retd) served with 71 Armoured Regiment.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook and Twitter @thetribunechd)The decorated officer had been undergoing treatment “after a fall at his Model Town residence two weeks ago and had been on life support”, said a family member. The last rites will be performed at his native Phulgana village on the Phagwara-Hoshiarpur road at noon on Saturday.Coming from a family whose seven generations have served in the Army, Col Randhawa’s great-great-grandfather Subedar Harnam Singh was the first to join the defence services and fought during the 1857 mutiny.Col Randhawa was decorated with the prestigious Military Cross for chivalry displayed during the 1944 Burma campaign in Kohima.“At 24, my father was the youngest officer to receive the Military Cross. He felt proud to see my son Ibandeep, now a Major, getting inducted into the Army,” said Col Jasjit Randhawa (retd).“He sustained injuries while killing four Japanese soldiers in hand-to-hand combat on the road to Imphal. He was the Parade Commander at the country’s first Independence Day Parade in Delhi, where Lord Mountbatten was given the guard of honour,” recalled Air Vice-Marshal Hothi.“He was born in Montgomery, Pakistan. He was posted as Major in Poonch and often shared stories of the days of demarcation of the LoC. After receiving the Military Cross, he was allotted 28 acres in Pakistan. The land was re-allotted at Phuglana, where his last rites will be performed,” said daughter Pearl Hothi, who lives in Jalandhar.
World War-2 veteran Col Randhawa dead
COL RANDHAWA FOUGHT WORLD WAR-2 AND WAS PART OF THE UN FORCES IN CONGO AND LEBANON. HE WAS 24 WHEN HE WON THE MILITARY CROSS FOR HIS SERVICES DURING THE BURMA CONFLICT
HOSHIARPUR: Colonel Daljit Singh Randhawa (retd), 96, the lone surviving Military Cross winner of Punjab, died on Friday as he was not keeping good health for some time. Cremation will take place on Saturday.
He was the first parade commander at the country’s first Independence Day parade in Delhi, after Partition where a guard of honour was given to the outgoing Viceroy Lord Mountbatten. His seven generations had served in the Army, the first being his great-grand father Colonel Harnam Singh, who took part in action during the 1857 mutiny.
Col Randhawa had fought World War-2 and was part of the UN Forces in Congo and Lebanon. He was barely 24, when he won the Military Cross for his services rendered during the Burma conflict. In recognition of his distinguished services, he was given 28-acre land in Pakistan, which was later re-allotted at Hoshiarpur’s Phuglana village.
Col Randhawa was born in Montgomery (now in Pakistan). His family had migrated to Punjab after Partition. Colonel Randhawa’s two sons, Colonel Jasjit and Major Amanjit, also served in the army and his grandson too is a senior military officer.
Golden Arrow observes Raising Day
Our Correspondent
Ferozepur, July 1
Four-time awardee of Victoria Cross for its valour during the World Wars, the Golden Arrow Division of the Army today celebrated its 53rd Raising Day. The division was first raised in 1914, when it fought a number of battles in Egypt and Mesopotamia during the World War I. It participated in the Burma campaign in the World War II. The Golden Arrow Division was re-raised after Independence on July 1, 1963, by Maj Gen HK Sibal, Maha Vir Chakra awardee.In line with traditions of the Army, Maj Gen Vijay Pingale, General Officer Commanding, Golden Arrow Division, officers and troops paid homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the Barki War Memorial. The event was followed by a Special Sainik Sammelan, where the GOC addressed all ranks of the Golden Arrow Division.
Chetak Corps celebrates its 38th Raising Day in Bathinda
MANY FORMER CORPS COMMANDERS JOIN THE CELEBRATIONS
BATHINDA: Chetak Corps celebrated its 38th Raising Day on Friday at Bathinda Military Station. On this day the military station was inaugurated in 1980 by then Chief of the Army Staff General OP Malhotra.
HT PHOTOA veteran going to lay a wreath to honour martyrs at the Bathinda army station on Friday.
A military spokesperson said that since its raising, the corps has gone through a series of transformations to reach its present state as a professional and operationally effective formation.
“To add glory to this auspicious day, a number of senior commanders who had led this corps, joined the celebrations and witnessed the transformation of the chetak corps down the ages,” said spokesperson.
The functions began with a solemn wreath laying ceremony in remembrance and to honour the brave soldiers of the corps who made supreme sacrifice for the nation. All senior dignitaries laid a wreath at the war memorial “Yodha Yaadgar’.
