Alan Macfarlane Sloan

Alan MacFarlane Sloan (20 April 1925 – 10 July 1948) was a British officer, who fought in World War II, and for the Pakistan Army. During the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948, he led the Pakistani engineering brigades and is known for his contributions in the Battle of Chunj and being the only British soldier to die in service of the Pakistan army. Major Sloan was born in 1925 in Beckenham, Kent. He was transferred to India in 1944 and, after Partition, he arrived in Pakistan on 18 October 1947 and joined the 71st Field Company of Pakistan Army Engineers. His services led to him being promoted to major the next month.

India-Pakistan tensions boiled over and started the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948. During the Battle of Chunj It was decided to move the 3.7'' howitzer gun, nicknamed Shehzadi, to Point 9444 after dismantling it, owing to the absence of a paved or proper route. The 71st Engineering Brigade under Major Sloan was said to have worked day and night to make the track fit for the artillery piece to be transported by mules. With the help of a sling and pulley, the dismantled gun was pulled across the Kishanganga (Neelum River) at Ghori.

Shehzadi was reassembled in two days. After achieving this feat, the 71st Engineers set to work clearing mines and fixing paths for logistics. While leading his soldiers during a mine clearing operation, Major Sloan fell down a slope and triggered a tripwire which blew up a mine, which proved fatal. His body was taken to the British Cemetery in Abbottabad and buried there with full military honours.