Bhandari Ram
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Bhandari Ram (July 24, 1919-19 May 2002) was an Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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He was 25 years old, and a sepoy in the 10th Baluch Regiment, Indian Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 22 November 1944 at East Mayu, Arakan, Burma (now Myanmar), Sepoy Bhandari Ram's platoon was pinned down by machine-gun fire. Although wounded he crawled up to a Japanese light machine-gun in full view of the enemy and was wounded again, but continued crawling to within 5 yards of his objective. He then threw a grenade into the position, killing the gunner and two others. This action inspired his platoon to rush and capture the enemy position. Only then did he allow his wounds to be dressed.
[edit] Further information
He was born on July 24, 1919 at Pargna Gugeda village, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India. He worked as a farmer before enlisting in the Indian Army. From 1947, when India was partitioned following Independence, he served with distinction in the wars over Kashmir, often fighting against his former colleagues. He was promoted to subadar major in 1964 and in January 1969 to Honorary Lieutenant. That August he was promoted to Honorary Captain, the rank in which he left the army in November 1969.
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
