Sheet 1 Army Form W-3121. 9th Inf. Bde Brigade. 5th Inf. Division Corps 23 Feb 41 Date of Recommendaiton.
Schedule No. (to be left blank)
Unit
Regtl. No.
Rank and Name(Christian name must be stated)
Action for which commended (Date and place of action must be stated)
Recommended by
Honour or Reward
(To be left blank)
21 Fd Coy S & M
2/Lieutenant PREMINDAR SINGH BHAGAT.
During the pursuit of Italian forces subsequent to the capture of METEMMA on the night 31 Jan/1 Feb, 2 /Lieutenant BHAGAT was In command of a Section 21 Fd Coy S & M which was detailed to accompany the leading mobile troops (Bren Carriers) of the 9th Infy Bde Group, with the task of clearing the road and adjacent areas of mines. For a period of four days and over a distance of 55 miles this officer led the column, travelling with his eyes glued to the road. During this period he himself detected and personally supervised the clearin[g]of no less than 15 minefields of varying dimensions. Speed in the pursuit being essential he worked at high pressure from first light to dusk on each day; and on the two occasions on which the carrier on which he was travelling was blown up with casualties to its other occupants and on a third occasion on which his carrier ran into an ambush and came under close enemy fire, he himself carried straight on with his task. Towards the end of this period 2/Lieutenant BHAGAT was literally worn out with strain and fatigue
And was suffering from an ear-drum punctured by explosions; out, when relief was offered he stubbornly refused it on the grounds that he was better qualified by practise to continue his take to the end.”/Lietutenant BHAGAT's coolness, persistence and gallantry not only in the heat of xxx battle, but Cont…
Throughout long intervening periods during which the safety of the column and the speed at which it could advance were dependent entirely on his individual effort, seems to be deserving of the highest recognition. I, therefore, recommend him for the award of the Victoria Cross.
G. E. McWilliams Major R.E. O.C.21 Fd Coy R.
2/ Lieutenant P.S. BHAGAT'S cold, calculated bravery over a period of 96 hours is the talk of the Brigade Group. I, myself, watched him at his work during this period and can testify to the accuracy of every word his Commanding Officer has written[in] his description of 2/Lieutenant Bhagat's conduct. I, hesitatingly recommend the award of the Victoria Cross.
Brigadier. Commander. 9th Infantry Brigade Group.
Recommendation for the Victoria Cross.
[Signature illegible] Lieut General Commanding Troops in the Sudan
