MILITARY CREDENTIALS
Almost all the members of VOHRA family have held and are holding Commission in the Army, Navy and Air Force. About a dozen members were on the active list during the Great War 1914-18 and as many volunteered their services to assist Government in connection with the Second World War 1939-45.
As per the records available, oldest member of our family Subedar Bhagwan Singh of 39th Garhwal Regiment rendered meritorious services in 1857 and the Sowat-Boner Expedition, 1864, against Wahabis. He was severely wounded and invalidated from service after receiving Medals with Clasps. Sowars Rattan Singh and Mool Singh, of the Guides Cavalry were slain in Kabul in 1879 along with Sir Louis Cavagnari, the then Resident in Afghanistan, whilst on escort duty with the latter. They were also awarded meritorious medals with Clasps.
In recognition of the excellent military service, the family received the following testimonial:
“The members of this reputed Military family have rendered loyal and valuable services which have merited fully the recognition they have received and I feel sure that they will continue to set an example of faithful service.”
Lt. General Sir Herbert C. Holman, K.C.B., C.M.G.,D.S.O
General-Officer-Commanding, C.P.District.
18 August 1930.
After the Independence of India, Vohra family never lagged behind in serving the Nation in both the wars against Pakistan in 1965 and 1971 as well as in peace even now at all times and received recognition and Awards
DETAILS OF VOHRA VETERANS
Late Captain Jaswant Singh, my Grandfather, retired from active service in October 1950 after serving for over 35 years in 7th Cavalry. To augment the Second world War of 1939-1945 efforts, he trained Soldiers in fighting techniques. He was awarded medals, appreciation letters and land as Jangi Inam by the Government for his meritorious, loyal and distinguished record of service for over three decades.
My late eldest Uncle Colonel Darshan Singh Vohra was responsible to fit Artificial limbs and appliances to 2nd World War wounded soldiers so that they could rehabilitate themselves. He awarded Padam Shri besides five National awards by the President of India for his services to the handicapped persons. He was also nominated as the Councilor of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh.
My second eldest late Uncle, Jagdish Singh Vohra, in the Flying (Pilot) branch of the Indian Air Force, was a Veteran bomber pilot who took his Jet bomber squadron as Commanding officer to bomb Pakistan Air bases during 1971 Indo-Pak war. He was a Master Green Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor. Retired as Air Commodore after 32 years service
My Grand brother in law, Jit Singh Sarna was Master Warrant Officer First Class and served in Royal Army Ordnance Corps. During Second World War he was drafted and sent to be a part of British force in Africa. He was captured by the Forces of Field Marshal Erwin and seni to German Prisoner of War Camp, located in Germany. He was one of the earlier Prisoner of War and was given POW 36 and was in German captivity from 1939 till the end of war in 1945.
My father Prithijit Singh Vohra, joined the Indian Army in 1957, and retired in 1987 after reaching to the rank of Colonel with responsibility as the chief material manager of an Army Installation having an inventory of over 100,000 items and value in excess of US$ 9500 million. He also took active part in 1965 as well as 1971 Indo-Pakistan wars and undertook risky operation of repairing and defusing Ammunition and explosives during intense enemy shelling