Sabal Singh distinguished himself at the Battle of Sahil on 17 Nov 1914. The regiment were supporting the Dorset Regiment who were decimated by enfilade fire as they advanced on the Old Fort at Sahil. Subadar Sabal Singh and Lance Naik Net Singh were the first two men to gain entrance into the fort. This battle was a victory for the British Indian force resulting in a complete defeat of the Turks who had 5,000 men and 12 guns. It relieved the pressure on Basra. The two men were recommended for a Bahaduri and subsequently received the Indian Order of Merit. He was unfortunately wounded in an action on 7 Dec 1914.
After the War there were peace celebrations in London to which a few men from each regiment were sent. Subadar Sabal Singh, Bahadur, IOM, had officiated as Subadar-Major since the fall of Kut. He and two other rank-and-file men were sent to England in July 1919. The photo is a detail from a group of officers of the regiment taken at Baroda on 6 Feb 1914. He is seated between Captain W P M Sergeant, on the left, and Lt-Col Clery on the right.
