Major Bakhtawar Singh Brar, one of oldest Army veterans, passes away at 109; ‘Some soldiers never fade away’

Born on November 19, 1913, in a village in Faridkot district, Major Brar served in the Faridkot State Forces and then joined the 6 Kumaon Regiment before retiring in 1963.

Major Bakhtawar Singh Brar (retd), 6 Kumaon passed away yesterday at an age of 109 years and 7 months. He was born on 19 November 1913. He served with Faridkot State Forces and then with 6 Kumaon before retiring in 1963.

May you rest in peace Sir 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/UBOo5jqNQi

— Jai Samota (@jai_samota) July 4, 2023

“He was born into a very poor farmer family in the Faridkot district of undivided Punjab and moved about bare feet. After studying and struggling hard, he enrolled in the Army and took part in World War II. He was later commissioned and served in 6 Kumaon known as Jangi Paltan,” said Colonel Bhatia.

Major Brar, who joined the State Forces of Maharaja of Faridkot in December 1934, was awarded the Mention-in-Despatches by the King of England in 1942 for leading his company against the warring Pathans in Waziristan. He was serving in the Faridkot Field Company, Sappers and Miners, which was later amalgamated with the present-day Bengal Sappers.

Major Brar was commissioned into the 6 Kumaon Regiment in 1945 and saw action in World War II in Burma. In July 1956, he was posted back to 6 Kumaon from the Area Recruiting Office, Jullundur (now Jalandhar).

While serving in the 6 Kumaon, he was tasked with snow clearance in the rescue operation in Baltal on November 8, 1957, and was again awarded Mention-in-Despatches.

In 1959, he led a contingent of 6 Kumaon at the Republic Day Parade. He also received the Chief of Army Staff ‘Commendation Card’ for his distinguished service in Jammu and Kashmir in 1960. In March 1960, he was posted to the 111 Infantry Battalion (TA).

After his retirement, Major Brar went to Madhya Pradesh and then settled in the US and became a farmer in Delano, California. “After retiring from the Indian Army he settled down in Jabalpur in the 1960s and 25 years later, after his retirement, he migrated with his family to the US in 1981,” he said.

He added Major Brar and his wife did odd jobs in a factory in the US, saved some money and bought 80 acre of land. After this, both husband and wife started cultivating the land.

“To save money, they both worked in a chicken packing factory. With sheer hard work, dedication, honesty, and caring for his employees as his own family, he along with his son, Harbinder, eventually owned an 18,000-acre farm and was one of the richest farmers in Delano, California growing grapes and almonds,” he added.

Colonel Bhatia also shared some of his correspondence with Major Brar.

In one email to Colonel Bhatia, Major Brar wrote, “Sir, I am 105 now and do not travel any more I help family farms. My family has done very well. I have a dozen of doctors of various specialities in my children and grandchildren, and families in the USA and Canada. One of my grandsons is on the staff of the USA President. Sir, if you come to the USA, please do not forget to come to this humble old person of 6 KUMAON”.

Colonel Bhatia said the Colonel of the Kumaon Regiment has condoled the passing of Major Brar. “Some soldiers never fade away, they just keep soldiering on with their usual fire and thunder, standing tall and proud – even at 100 years plus,” he said.

Major Brar is survived by his wife Gurnam Kaur Brar, sons Harbinder Singh, a doctor, and Maj Manjit Singh Brar (retd), who served in 12 Kumaon, and daughters, Dr Parampal Kaur Gill and Narinder Kaur Rai.