Early Life and Background

Kartar Singh was born in 1896 in the village of Tangra, located in Amritsar, Punjab, to Nihal Singh and his wife, Lakshmi. He was the grandson of Sher Singh. Raised in a traditional Sikh household, Kartar’s early life was marked by hard work and the simplicity of rural life. He worked as a farmer, uneducated but resilient, contributing to his family’s livelihood.

Kartar stood 5 feet 9 inches tall, with dark eyes and black hair. He bore a noticeable cut on his hip, likely from his laborious work, and another cut mark on his left thumb. His sallow complexion was a testament to the long hours spent under the sun, toiling in the fields. Despite the physical demands of his rural upbringing, Kartar’s resilience and dedication were evident from a young age.

Kartar had three brothers—Hazara Singh, Piara Singh, and Agia Singh—and two sisters, Dhanni Kaur and Har Kaur.

In the late 1920s, Kartar Singh married Raj Kaur Uppal, who was born around 1913 in Fattu Bhilla, Amritsar. Their marriage was likely a significant source of strength and support for Kartar throughout his life.

Enlistment in the Indian Army

In the early 1930s, driven by the pursuit of a better life and a stable income, 34-year-old Kartar Singh made a momentous decision. On 30 January 1930, he enlisted in the Indian Army, stepping into a new chapter of his life. Kartar joined the ranks of the 2/14 Punjab Regiment in Ferozepur, proudly receiving the service number 9680.

Leaving behind his farming roots, Kartar embarked on a rigorous training regimen in Ferozepur. For the next 6 to 9 months, he underwent intense physical and mental conditioning. This period of transformation was challenging but profoundly impactful, molding Kartar from a humble farmer into a disciplined soldier. With each passing day, he honed his skills, embraced military discipline, and prepared himself to serve his country with pride and dedication.

By 1931, Kartar Singh was a fully trained soldier, ready to take on new assignments with the 2/14 Punjab Regiment. His journey over the next several years would be marked by numerous relocations, each bringing new experiences and challenges as the regiment provided internal security across various regions:

• 1931-1933: Jhelum (modern-day Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan)

  • The regiment arrived from Bannu (modern-day Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan).
  • Kartar and his comrades ensured the safety and stability of the region, maintaining law and order.

• 1933-1934: Mir Ali (modern-day Mir Ali, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

  • The regiment arrived from Jhelum.
  • Here, the regiment’s presence was crucial in managing internal security and local conflicts.

• 1934-1936: Bannu (modern-day Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

  • The regiment arrived from Mir Ali.
  • Kartar and his unit worked diligently to keep peace in this strategically important location.

• 1936-1938: Kohat (modern-day Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

  • The regiment arrived from Bannu.
  • Their role continued to be vital in securing the area and supporting civil authorities.

• 1938-1939: Dacca (modern-day Dhaka, Bangladesh)

  • The regiment arrived from Kohat.
  • In Dacca, the regiment’s duty was to maintain internal security, ensuring the safety of the populous city.

Each stationing brought Kartar closer to his fellow soldiers and deeper into the fabric of the regiment’s storied history. His journey with the 2/14 Punjab Regiment was not just a series of relocations but a testament to his commitment and adaptability as a soldier, dedicated to maintaining peace and order in various parts of British India.

Service in Hong Kong and Captivity

In July 1940, the 2/14 Punjab Regiment received orders to move to Hong Kong. The regiment’s main body sailed from Calcutta on the SS Ellenga on October 28, 1940, and arrived in Hong Kong on November 11, 1940. They replaced the 1st Kumaon Rifles at Whitfield Barracks in Kowloon.

On December 25, 1941, during the Battle of Hong Kong, Japanese forces captured Kartar Singh. He endured severe conditions as a prisoner of war (POW) until June 1944. During his captivity, Kartar heard propaganda from Lieutenant Colonel Loganathan in October 1943, which promised better conditions for those who joined the Indian National Army (INA). Kartar was further influenced by his superior, Subedar Ujjagar Singh, who had delivered inspiring lectures encouraging POWs to join the INA.

Joining the Indian National Army (INA)

In June 1944, seeking to escape the hardships of POW life and driven by the persuasive words of Subedar Ujjagar Singh, Kartar Singh enlisted in the INA under the service number 60519. He joined on June 26, 1944, at Bidadari Camp in Singapore. At 50 years old by 1946, Kartar was possibly the oldest member of his battalion, a testament to his resilience and determination.

Kartar was initially posted to the reinforcement group and took on the duties of camp police, maintaining order and discipline within the camp. He also served as a duty Lance Naik in the 2nd INA Garrison Depot in Singapore, which was responsible for performing tasks such as constructing bunkers and underground defenses in Johore.

Role and Activities in the INA

Kartar Singh’s duties in the INA’s Garrison Depot were under the command of 2Lt (Maj) Jagjit Singh and Adjutant Havildar Jarnail Singh, both from the 2/14 Punjab Regiment. Following the defeat and surrender of Japanese forces in World War II, Kartar’s unit returned to Bidadari to surrender to British forces on September 4, 1945.

Upon surrender, Kartar was imprisoned in Outram Jail in Singapore by the British, where he underwent rigorous screening and interrogation. The physical toll of his wartime experiences had classified him as being of a low medical category. His initial screening took place on October 23, 1945, where he was classified as ‘Grey’. Subsequently, he left the Forward Southern Command Area (FSCA) and was sent back to India on October 15, 1945. His individual interrogation at the main FIC on January 16, 1946, resulted in a classification of ‘Black’.

Return to India and Later Life

Kartar Singh likely returned to his depot in Ferozepur, Punjab in early 1946. His post-war life saw him returning to the simplicity of his village, Tangra. The transition from soldier to civilian would have been challenging, but his experiences gave him resilience and a profound perspective on life.

Kartar Singh passed away at the age of 81 in 1977. His wife, Raj Kaur, lived until 2003, passing away in Tangra at the age of 90.

Conclusion

Kartar Singh’s journey from a farmer in Tangra to a soldier in the Indian Army, his capture and endurance as a POW, and his role in the INA, illustrate a life marked by extraordinary challenges and transformations. His story reflects the broader narratives of many Indian soldiers who faced the complexities and adversities of wartime service. Through his perseverance, Kartar Singh’s legacy serves as a testament to the resilience and spirit of those who served in some of the most trying circumstances of World War II. Being possibly the oldest in his battalion, Kartar’s story underscores the incredible fortitude required to endure and overcome such hardships, continuing to fight in his mid-40s up to his return at 50.

Twist of Fate

In a twist of fate, a daughter of Kartar Singh married a son of Massa Singh Sandhu from Singapore. Massa Singh hailed from the village of Karmuwala and had been a Prison Guard in Changi Prison before and during World War II. This union symbolizes the interconnected destinies shaped by the war and its aftermath, bridging two families across different regions and experiences.