George cross recipient. Pir married Shakena, the daughter of an injured Turkish Colonel whom he helped whilst in service, and the couple had seven children (five boys, two girls). On 3rd February 1940, he was part of a convoy travelling towards Bannu, India, along the Tochi Road when it was ambushed. After the first volley of fire, Colonel Hasted, Major Cator and Pir Khan managed to obtain cover behind a low irrigation wall at the side of the road. Pir Khan took up a firing position round the edge of the wall and immediately opened fire on the tribesmen, who were less than 40 yards away, thereby forcing most of them to take cover. He continued to fire and frustrated any attempt to outflank the officers along the road in spite of a hail of bullets being aimed in his direction. When the tribesmen decided to withdraw, he had just 3 rounds out of 50 left. He then helped the wounded and dying before assistance arrived. On 28th June 1940 it was announced in the London Gazette that Pir Khan was to be awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal of the Military Division. He never actually received the EGM as less than three months after the announcement of his award, the George Cross was created. As a result all EGMs were exchanged for the new medal.
George cross recipient. Pir married Shakena, the daughter of an injured Turkish Colonel whom he helped whilst in service, and the couple had seven children (five boys, two girls). On 3rd February 1940, he was part of a convoy travelling towards Bannu, India, along the Tochi Road when it was ambushed. After the first volley of fire, Colonel Hasted, Major Cator and Pir Khan managed to obtain cover behind a low irrigation wall at the side of the road. Pir Khan took up a firing position round the edge of the wall and immediately opened fire on the tribesmen, who were less than 40 yards away, thereby forcing most of them to take cover. He continued to fire and frustrated any attempt to outflank the officers along the road in spite of a hail of bullets being aimed in his direction. When the tribesmen decided to withdraw, he had just 3 rounds out of 50 left. He then helped the wounded and dying before assistance arrived. On 28th June 1940 it was announced in the London Gazette that Pir Khan was to be awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal of the Military Division. He never actually received the EGM as less than three months after the announcement of his award, the George Cross was created. As a result all EGMs were exchanged for the new medal.
Bio by: Paul Barnett
Advertisement
See more Khan memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
