Kunwar Indrejit Singh was killed in action on this day in 1914.
Born on 27 December 1883 at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Kanwar was the son of Raja Sir Harman Singh K.C.I.E. Prisicilla Golaknath. He was one of 11 children.
He was educated at school in the Punjab, India, then Pembroke College, Cambridge and King’s College London gaining his BA and medical qualifications.
Kanwar was commissioned in the Indian Medical Service on 28 Jan 1911. He became a M.R.C.P.
He was in London in 1912 and was promoted to Captain on 28 Jan 1914.
He lived in Feriby Lodge, Ramsgate and The Manor, Simlar West, India.
Kanwar Singh was killed when the house used as the combined dressing station of the 57th Rifles and 129th Baluchis took a direct hit. Only 1500 yds from the front line. Working parties made desperate efforts to reach those who had been buried. Hit again as soon as clearance work begun, the body of Capt Singh was only recovered the following day.
He was buried in Bethune Town Cemetery.
Captain Kanwar Indrejit Singh was awarded the Military Cross posthumously 1 Jan 1915.
Research by Jonathan Vernon
Source: The Indian Corps in France, Merewether and Smyth. p.136. Roll of Indian Medical Service, 1615-1930. Western Mail, 2 December 1914