Story of My Grand Uncle

The Story of my Grand Uncle: Dr.-Major Shivdev Singh

On the east coast of India in the Bay of Bengal are two islands called Andaman & Nicobar. In the capital city Port Blair, there is a road named “Dr. Shivdev Singh Road”. This road is named after my grand uncle, who I used to call "Daddy Uncle" and whose story I find very fascinating and would love to share. I have fond memories of Daddy Uncle taking me (4-6 year old at that time) for walks to the beautiful and picturesque Central Park surrounded by the inner circle of Connaught Place in the heart of New Delhi. Yes, it was long before ugly Rajiv Chowk and Palika Bazar was constructed in the park lands.

Dr.-Major Shivdev Singh, MBE, Burma star

 Early Life

Dr. (Major) SHIVDEV SINGH was born on the 11th of June 1911 at the Dinga, District Gujarat (West Punjab) to Subedar Sham Singh, OBI BAHADUR, who himself was a veteran of the First World War and served in the Indian Army for a period of 32 years.

After finishing his schooling from Frontier High School, Peshawar, he graduated from Khalsa College, Amritsar in 1931. Thereafter he pursued his medical degree from the K.E. Medical College Lahore, Punjab where he stood second in the final year, MBBS. He completed his Post Graduation on Tubercolosis at Modern TB Hospital Clinic, New Delhi and Lady Linlithgow TB Sanitarium for a period of 9 months.

He joined British Indian Army after completing his post graduation as a medical officer and held various posts. He joined WORLD WAR II as IMS officer on the 5^th July’1941 and was released on the 28th Feb’ 1947. He rejoined the independent Indian Army on 6-8-1948 in AMC (Army Medical Core) (SSRC) and was released honorably on 1-1-1955.

As British Army Doctor in Burma

The events of the World War II when he was posted in Burma changed his life forever and affected his family immensely. Dr. (Lt. Colonel) Shivdev Singh was posted in 1941 as the Registrar of the IGH (1000-bed hospital) in Burma when the Japanese forces invaded Burma. The British Indian troops fought a bitter battle but were forced to retreat to the safety of Indian borders. During this battle, Dr. (Lt. Colonel) Shivdev Singh looked after over 600 injured soldiers in the remains of a damaged hospital building and poor supply of medical equipment and medicines.

The Escape

When the order came to evacuate, Dr. (Major) Shivdev Singh was one of the last to leave the hospital.  He along with fourteen other army officers decided to take the British coffers with them as they escaped the invading Japanese army on mules. The terrain was tough. It was hilly and full of deadly animals and malarial swamps.

The group lost communication with the Army headquarters and was presumed as “Missing in Action”. This message was conveyed to the family in Punjab, where they were preparing for his imminent wedding with Harbans Kaur, daughter of Sardar Kishan Singh of Duska, West Punjab. There was mourning in the family who refused to believe that Dr. (Major) Shivdev Singh might have died on the battleground. As days and weeks passed, the family accepted the situation and suggestions were made to find another suitable match the young lady. Harbans Kaur however refused to believe that her fiancée was dead and insisted upon waiting for him.

Meanwhile in Burma, the missing group was making slow progress in their treacherous journey. Many members of the group succumbed to malaria and other diseases and they had to hide in the houses of friendlier Burmese citizens at times. One such host was very hospitable to the group and fed them with a curried dish every night. Before leaving, some one from the group wanted to know the recipe for the fish curry. They were surprised to find out that they had been eating a snake curry for days.

The Escape Route

It took them several weeks to travel about 320 miles on the treacherous terrain from Katha in Burma to the Indian city of Imphal. They reached their destination but with a heavy price. Only two of the group survived the treacherous journey, one of them was my grand uncle Dr. (Lt. Colonel) Shivdev Singh.

MBE - Military Division

For his efforts in looking after the welfare of the troops & their families in IGH Hospital under battle conditions and the bravery shown in reaching the Indian Territory with the treasury, he earned the gratitude of all ranks. He was promoted to the rank of Major and awarded with BURMA STAR, a prestigious WW II award for the British soldiers in Burma. He continued to serve the British Indian Army during the Manipur siege of 1944, doing various duties in 41 IGH (C) SEAC. His services were recognized by the Birish Government and he was awarded M.B.E (Military division) vide IAO/AP/34/1946.

Here is the information I was able to find for those who have better understanding of WWII Medals, Burma Star, and MBE awards. Thanks to my Chacha Sarvjit Singh for the following update..

Army Record: Dr.-Major Shivdev Singh

The Wedding

Meanwhile at home in Punjab, celebrations were held by the family when they cam to know about his survival. After finishing his duties in British Indian Army, he returned home and eventually married his fiancée, Harbans Kaur. They were a happily married couple and had four children. He later rejoined the Indian army after India became independent in 1947. He retired from Indian Army on January 1, 1955. The events of the World War II left many impressions on my grand uncle and he rarely discussed them with his family. After his retirement from Indian Army, Dr. (Major) Shivdev Singh continued to serve in civilian hospitals in New Delhi, India. He was appointed as the medical officer for the Indian territories of Andaman and Nicobar islands. He served the local indigenous population with dedication and managed several vaccination drives among the locals. When he finally retired, the indigenous communities gave him a ceremonial departure and a road was named after him in the capital city of Port Blair.

I have a faint memory of him when he returned from Andaman Islands. Despite the tough life he had led in the WW II, Dr. (Major) Shivdev Singh was a thoroughly gentleman and well respected by his colleagues and family. 

Bibliography:

1. As told by Mrs. Harbans Kaur, the widow of Dr. (Major) Shivdev Singh
2. Burma Star Association (www.burmastar.org)