Shahamad Khan
Naik, 89th Punjab Regiment. Indian Army
- Register No.
- 1127 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Naik all Naiks →
- Unit
- 89th Punjab Regiment. Indian Army all 89th Punjab Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 12–13 April 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 26th September 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- the 1st July 1879, at Takhti , near Rawalpindi, India
- Died
- 20th July 1947 at Takhti, India. Now Pakistan (created
- Memorial / grave
- at Takhti Cemetery, Pakistan
- Medal held by
- VC Medal's Custodian not known
Digest of citation
Shamahad Khan was in charge of a machine-gun section 150 yards from the enemy's position, covering a gap in the New Line at Beit Ayeesa, Mesopotamia on 12th/13th April, 1916. After all his men, apart from two belt-fillers, had become casualties, Shamahad Khan, working the gun single-handed, repelled three counter-attacks. Under extremely heavy fire, he continued to hold the gap, whilst it was being made secure, for three hours. When his gun was disabled by enemy fire, he and the two belt-fillers continued to hold the ground with their rifles until they were ordered to retire. Along with the three men who were sent to his assistance, he brought back to his own lines, his gun, ammunition and a severely wounded man. Eventually he returned to remove all remaining arms and equipment, except for two shovels. But for his action, the line would undoubtedly have been penetrated by the enemy
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SHAHAMAD KHAN. (reg No. 1127).
Naik.* 89th Punjab Regiment. Indian Army.
London Gazetted on 26th September 1916.
VC Medal's Custodian not known.
Born on the 1st July 1879, at Takhti , near Rawalpindi, India.
Died on 20th July 1947 at Takhti, India. Now Pakistan (created 14th August, 1947).
Memorial on grave at Takhti Cemetery, Pakistan.
Digest of Citation reads: Shamahad Khan was in charge of a machine-gun section 150 yards from the enemy's position, covering a gap in the New Line at Beit Ayeesa, Mesopotamia on 12th/13th April, 1916. After all his men, apart from two belt-fillers, had become casualties, Shamahad Khan, working the gun single-handed, repelled three counter-attacks. Under extremely heavy fire, he continued to hold the gap, whilst it was being made secure, for three hours. When his gun was disabled by enemy fire, he and the two belt-fillers continued to hold the ground with their rifles until they were ordered to retire. Along with the three men who were sent to his assistance, he brought back to his own lines, his gun, ammunition and a severely wounded man. Eventually he returned to remove all remaining arms and equipment, except for two shovels. But for his action, the line would undoubtedly have been penetrated by the enemy.
* Corporal.
Additional information:. Army No. 1605 Jemadar* Shahamad Khan (promoted January 1920) was the son of Fayal Khan. On 1st December 1904 he joined the Army, serving in the European War in November 1914 at Shaik Sa'id, Arabia, then Egypt, the Dardanelles, France, Mesopotamia (where he won his VC) and at the Mohmand blockade, Salonika and the Caucasus.
*Lieutenant
Additional information
Army No. 1605 Jemadar* Shahamad Khan (promoted January 1920) was the son of Fayal Khan. On 1st December 1904 he joined the Army, serving in the European War in November 1914 at Shaik Sa'id, Arabia, then Egypt, the Dardanelles, France, Mesopotamia (where he won his VC) and at the Mohmand blockade, Salonika and the Caucasus.
* Corporal.
*Lieutenant
14th August, 1947).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Takhti Cemetery, Pakistan
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