Chatta Singh
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Chatta Singh VC (1886- March 28, 1961) 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.
He was approx. 29 years old, and a Sepoy in the 9th Bhopal Infantry, Indian Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 13 January 1916 during the Battle of the Wadi, Mesopotamia, Sepoy Chatta Singh left cover to assist his commanding officer, who was lying wounded and helpless in the open. The sepoy bound up the officer's wounds and then dug cover for him with his entrenching tool, being exposed all the time to very heavy rifle fire. For five hours until nightfall he stayed with the wounded officer, shielding him with his body on the exposed side. He then, under cover of darkness, went back for assistance and brought the officer to safety.
He later achieved the rank of Havildar.
A contemporary 'field presentation' copy of the Victoria Cross, which is believed to have been presented to Sepoy Chatta Singh on the 8th March 1916, was sold by Dix Noonan Web on the 22nd September 2006. His original award was gazetted on the 21st June 1916.
