Sher Shah (VC)

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Sher Shah Awan VC (14 February 1917 - 20 January 1945) was a British Indian from the village of Chakrala, about 30km east from Mianwali, Punjab region that is now Pakistan, who received the Victoria Cross which is 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 27 years old, son of Barkhurdar and Makda; husband of Mehr Bhari, of Chakrala, Mianwali, Pakistan, and a Lance Naik in the 7th Battalion of the 16th Punjab Regiment, Indian Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 19/20 January 1945 at Kyeyebyin, Kaladan, Burma (now Myanmar), Lance Naik Sher Shah was commanding a left forward section of his platoon when it was attacked by overwhelming numbers of Japanese. He broke up two attacks by crawling right in among the enemy and shooting at point-blank range. On the second occasion he was hit and his leg shattered, but he maintained that his injury was only slight and when the third attack came, he again crawled forward engaging the enemy until he was shot through the head and killed.

Sher Shah's Battalion 7/16 Punjab Regiment, affectionatelt known as "Saat Solah Punjab" is now a part of the Pakistan Army, proudly known as the "Sher Shah Battalion".

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