01 Jul was the 38th remembrance day of Sepoy Kamal Ram, Victoria Cross. He was the youngest Indian recipient of the award.
During World War II, he served in the 3rd Battalion, 8th Punjab Regiment, British Indian Army (Now the 3rd Battalion, Baloch Regiment, Pakistan Army). He was 19 years old, with the rank of Sepoy, when on 12 May 1944, his battalion assaulted the formidable German defences of the Gustav Line, across the River Gari in Italy; and he performed the deeds for which he was awarded the VC. The citation reads as follows :-
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 12 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 down 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.
London Gazette, 27 Jul 1944.
King George VI presented him with the medal in Italy in 1944. He remained in the Indian Army post-independence, in 3 RAJPUT, rising to the rank of Havildar (Sergeant) before receiving promotion to Jemadar (now Naib Subedar) on 18 May 1960, to Subedar on 01 Mar 1964 and to Subedar Major on 01 Jan 1970. He retired in 1972 with the honorary rank of Lieutenant and passed into the mist of time on 01 Jul 1982.
Tailpiece.
Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. A quiet Tuesday. Attended the webinar between 3 and 4 in the afternoon.
During World War II, he served in the 3rd Battalion, 8th Punjab Regiment, British Indian Army (Now the 3rd Battalion, Baloch Regiment, Pakistan Army). He was 19 years old, with the rank of Sepoy, when on 12 May 1944, his battalion assaulted the formidable German defences of the Gustav Line, across the River Gari in Italy; and he performed the deeds for which he was awarded the VC. The citation reads as follows :-
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 12 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 down 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.
London Gazette, 27 Jul 1944.
King George VI presented him with the medal in Italy in 1944. He remained in the Indian Army post-independence, in 3 RAJPUT, rising to the rank of Havildar (Sergeant) before receiving promotion to Jemadar (now Naib Subedar) on 18 May 1960, to Subedar on 01 Mar 1964 and to Subedar Major on 01 Jan 1970. He retired in 1972 with the honorary rank of Lieutenant and passed into the mist of time on 01 Jul 1982.
Tailpiece.
Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. A quiet Tuesday. Attended the webinar between 3 and 4 in the afternoon.
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