‘Proud’ Sikh ex-soldier of British Army passes away at 98

London, UK: Bur Singh Johal, who fought for the British Army in Burma, Malaya and Singapore and had tea with Lord Mountbatten while serving in Burma, has died aged 98 in the East Midlands city of Derby.

Hailing from Punjab, Johal joined the British Army in 1933 and from 1939 fought to the end of the Second World War in Burma, Singapore and Malaya, his family said after he died last week. He returned to India in 1947 to farm his land in Punjab and later worked as a driver in the Punjab government. Johal moved to England with his family in 1964 and settled in Derby, local reports said.

Johal’s son, Charanjit Singh Johal, 59, told the local media that his father met Lord Mountbatten while in Burma. “He was very, very proud of being in the British Army and would often show people his medals.” He added, “He had a cup of tea with Lord Mountbatten in Burma, who told my father that he was very brave.”

Source: HT