1 week Ago By [email protected] (Hayley Anderson, Jayne Thomson)
Antiques Roadshow delivered a poignant moment when a guest was left in tears after discovering the value of his father's "prestigious" Victoria Cross medal. The BBC show, set against the backdrop of Pollock Park, saw expert Mark Smith evaluate the family heirloom. Smith expressed his excitement, saying, "This is the ultimate moment because there is really only one medal that every medal collector craves to have in their collection," He added, "Actually, just to see one out of a case in a museum is an incredible treat because it is the Victoria Cross, the highest award this country has for bravery.
" The medal belonged to the guest's father, Captain Gian Singh, who was recognised for his valour in Burma, now Myanmar, during World War II. The guest revealed he never learned of his father's heroics from the man himself: "Not father no [did I find out what he did]. My dad never talked to us about the story, no.
" READ MORE: 'Fly-tipping pandemic on city streets' after council suddenly shuts waste removal service Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp , click the link to join Smith then read from a book accompanying the medal, which contained the citation detailing Singh's courageous actions: "Firing his Tommy guns and hurling grenades, Naik Gian Singh made two lone charges against the Japanese astride the...
Mingan Road in Burma." "It was essential that the enemy should be dislodged from this area, and when a Punjab platoon assaulting a nearby village came under very heavy fire, Naik Gian Singh ordered his machine gunners to cover him as he rushed the enemy foxholes.", reports the Mirror .
"Our tanks had now moved up and come under fire, but Naik Gian Singh, who had sustained several wounds, again rushed forward and annihilated a Japanese anti-tank gun crew, capturing the weapon single-handed. He then led his section in clearing all enemy positions." "Despite his injuries, Singh asked permission to continue leading his section until the 'whole action had been completed,' which he was allowed to do.
" Reacting to what he had just read, Smith said: "Wow. So I know these things happen really just in the heat of the moment but that still takes some bravery to do that." "To be that involved in the battle and to just keep going even though he's wounded is absolutely incredible.
And he never spoke about it." Antiques Roadshow guest wipes away tears as family heirloom given whopping six-figure price tag (Image: BBC) The guest said: "Well, not to us, not to the children. I think he used to get emotional whenever he talked about it.
Obviously, he lost a lot of his friends in that battle." Smith pointed out that the medal was made of bronze as Queen Victoria commented she didn't want it to be "made of something precious..
.it's not about the medal, it's about the deed behind the medal." The expert questioned if the owner had any idea of its value, which he admitted he did not.
Smith then paused before adding: "It's a quarter of a million pounds," which led to the guest making a face and the audience gasping around them. The guest responded, "Wow. Even if it's worth £2 million, £10 million, still we won't part with it, no way.
" Amidst this discussion, it was evident the man became emotional, discreetly trying to keep his composure and wipe away tears. Smith acknowledged the sentimental value, saying, "They are some of the most iconic things we have in this country for our military all across the world." He continued by expressing his deep respect: "And I will tell you now, meeting your dad and his medals today has been a true honour.
Thank you so much.".
