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Subedar Major and Honorary Captain

Bhandari Ram

VC
Bhandari Ram VC.jpg
Born (1919-07-24)24 July 1919
Pargna Gugeda, Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, India
Died 19 May 2002(2002-05-19) (aged 82)
Auhar, Himachal Pradesh
Allegiance  British India
 India
Service/branch  British Indian Army
 Indian Army
Years of service 1941–1969
Rank Subedar Major and Honorary Captain
Unit 16th Battalion, 10th Baluch Regiment
Dogra Regiment
Battles/wars World War II
Awards UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg Victoria Cross
Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg Param Vishisht Seva Medal (India)

Bhandari Ram VC (24 July 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.

Details

Bhandari Ram was born in Brahmin family 1919 at the village of Auhar, which was part of Bilaspur State (now Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh). He was Sepoy in the 16th Battalion 10th Baluch Regiment, British Indian Army (now the Baloch Regiment, Pakistan Army), fighting against the Japanese Army in the Burmese Campaign during World War II, when he performed deeds during the Third Arakan Offensive for which he was awarded the VC.

The citation reads:

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:-

No. 24782 Sepoy Bhandari Ram, 10th Baluch Regiment, Indian Army.

On the 22nd November, 1944, in East Mayu, Arakan, during a Company attack on a strongly held Japanese bunker position, Sepoy Bhandari Ram was in the leading section of one of the platoons. In order to reach its objective, his platoon had to climb a precipitous slope, by way of a narrow ridge with sheer sides.

When fifty yards from the top, the platoon came under heavy and accurate light machine gun fire. Three men were wounded, amongst them Sepoy Bhandari Ram, who received a burst of light machine gun fire in his left shoulder and a wound in his leg. The platoon was pinned down by the intense enemy fire.

Action by Sepoy Bhandari Ram, VC
Action by Sepoy Bhandari Ram, 22 November 1944, Arakan, Burma


This Sepoy then crawled up to the Japanese light machine gun, whilst in full view of the enemy, and approached to within fifteen yards of the enemy position. The enemy then hurled grenades at him, seriously wounding him in the face and chest. Undeterred, severely wounded by bullets and grenade splinters and bespattered with blood, this Sepoy, with superhuman courage and determination, crawled up to within five yards of his objective. He then threw a grenade into the position, killing the enemy gunner and two other men, and continued his crawl to the post. Inspired by his example, the Platoon rushed up and captured the position. It was only after the position had been taken that he lay down and allowed his wounds to be dressed.

By his cool courage, determination to destroy the enemy at all cost, and entire disregard for his personal safety, this young Sepoy enabled his Platoon to capture what he knew to be the key to the whole enemy position.

He continued to serve in the post-independence Indian Army, receiving promotion to subedar on 13 May 1958, and to subedar major on 30 March 1967. Bhandari Ram retired from the army in August 1969 with the honorary rank of captain. He died in 2002.

Awards

India General Service Medal 1947.svgIND Samanya Seva medal.svgIND Samar Seva Star Ribbon.svg
IND Raksha Medal Ribbon.svgIndian Independence medal 1947.svgIND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svgIND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg
UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svgRibbon - 1939-45 Star.pngRibbon - Burma Star.pngRibbon - War Medal.png
Ribbon India Service Medal.pngUK Queen EII Coronation Medal ribbon.svgUK Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal ribbon.svgUK Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg
General Service Medal 1947 Samanya Seva Medal Samar Seva Star
Raksha Medal Indian Independence Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal
Victoria Cross 1939–45 Star Burma Star War Medal 1939-1945
India Service Medal Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
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