India's Youngest Victoria Cross

Ray

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India's Youngest Victoria Cross


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The War Office, 27th July, 1944.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Victoria Cross to: —

No. 35408 Sepoy Kamal Ram, 8th Punjab Regiment, Indian Army.

"In Italy, on 12th May, 1944, after crossing the River Gari overnight, the Company advance was held up by heavy machine-gun fire from four posts on the front and flanks. As the capture of the position was essential to secure the bridgehead, the Company Commander called for a volunteer to get round the rear of the right post and silence it. Volunteering at once and crawling forward through the wire to a flank, Sepoy Kamal Ram attacked the post single handed and shot the first machine-gunner; a second German tried, to seize his weapon but Sepoy Kamal Ram killed him with the bayonet, and then shot a German officer who, appearing from the trench with his pistol, was about to fire. Sepoy Kamal Ram, still alone, at once went on to attack the second machine-gun post which was continuing to hold up the advance, and after shooting one machine-gunner, he threw a grenade and the remaining enemy surrendered. Seeing a Havildar making a reconnaissance for an attack on the third post, Sepoy Kamal Ram joined him, and, having first covered his companion, went in and completed the destruction of this post. By his courage, initiative and disregard for personal risk, Sepoy Kamal Ram enabled his Company to charge and secure the ground vital to the establishment of the bridgehead and the completion of work on two bridges. When a platoon, pushed further forward to widen the position, was fired on from a house, Sepoy Kamal Ram, dashing towards the house, shot one German in a slit trench and captured two more. His sustained and outstanding bravery unquestionably saved a difficult situation at a critical period of the battle and enabled his Battalion to attain the essential part of their objective."[3]

Kamal Ram was the youngest Indian recipient of Victoria Cross. He later achieved the rank of Subedar. He was born in Bholupura village, Karauli, Rajasthan, India in 1924. He died in 1982. His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.
Kamal Ram - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is what the Indian soldier is made of.
 
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Blackwater

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Indian then Punjabi. Punjabi di shaan wakhri.

 
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