Col Randhawa, hero of WW-II, dies at 95

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.

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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.