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~SOLD~ RAM Bhandrai
Bhandari Ram VC, soldier, born July 24 1919; died May 19 2002 in his village of Auhur, Himachel Pradesh.
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
Ram was born at the village of Pargna Gugeda, in the Simla Hills, and farmed before enlisting on his 22nd birthday. The VC, which was gazetted on February 8 1945, was presented to him by the Viceroy of India, Lord Wavell, at an investiture held at the Red Fort, Delhi.
Having found his metier as a soldier, Ram stayed in the army after the second world war was over, but the partition of India in 1947 posed a particular problem for him as a Hindu. The regiment he had joined was mixed was two thirds Muslim and one third Dogra Hindu Brahmin.
Since it had been mainly recruited in Baluchistan, which was to go to Pakistan, it was clear that for the Hindu minority there could be no future. In 1948, with other Hindus from the 10th Baluch, Ram transferred to the Dogra Regiment in the new Indian army.
He served in the military for a further 22 years, during which he fought with distinction in a number of operations - including fighting in Jammu-Kashmir. He was promoted subadar major in 1964, and, in 1969, honorary lieutenant and then honorary captain. He retired from the Indian army in November 1969, having been awarded the Param Vishishc Seva Medal and Tamar Patra by the president.
A frequent visitor to Britain, Ram regularly attended reunions of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association. In 1950, he married Champa Devi; she survives him, together with their three sons and two daughters.
It has been reported from India of the death, on the 19th May 2002, of Subadar Bhandari Ram VC, 10th Baluchi Regiment, in his village of Auhur, Himachel Pradesh.
Bhandari Ram was a Hindu from the Simla Hills. He was born in the village of Serunia in 1919 and enlisted in the 10th Baluch Regiment shortly before the outbreak of war. He had taken part in critical actions against the Japanese before the incident in November 1944, including the bitterly fought battle of Ngakyedauk Pass in northern Arakan, which lasted for 25 days during February 1944, and finally brought to an end the much-vaunted Japanese "March on Delhi" - their last strategic offensive against India.
Towards the close of 1944, having been warned not to expect further reinforcements from Europe, General Sir William Slim decided he must release three of his own divisions from the Arakan Peninsula, where they were containing the Japanese 28th Army between the Irrawaddy and the Bay of Bengal. Although the Japanese had only two divisions they would be enough to threaten the right flank of Slim's planned offensive into central Burma.
Slim therefore ordered Sir Philip Christison's 5th Corps of two Indian and two West Afican divisions to clear Arakan, leave one division in occupation there and divert the other three to the main offensive. As a preliminary, the 25th Indian Division was given the task of clearing the route into northwestern Arakan through the Mayu hills.
[ London Gazette, 8 February 1945 ], East Mayu, Arakan, Burma, 22 November 1944, Sepoy Bhandari Ram, 10th Baluchi 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, it was necessary to climb a precipitous slope, by way of a narrow ridge with sheer sides. When fifty yards from the top of the slope, the leading section of 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 intense enemy fire. 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 outstanding gallantry, 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.
Bhandari Ram was invested with his Victoria Cross by the Viceroy of India, Field Marshal Lord Wavell at the Red Fort, New Delhi, on the 3rd March 1945.
Signed 6" x 4" V.C. Postcard
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