Sepoy Kamal Ram
Sepoy Kamal Ram VC (17 December 1924 – 1 July 1982) 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.
He was 19 years old, and a Sepoy in the 3rd Battalion, 8th Punjab Regiment, British Indian Army (now 3rd Battalion of the Baloch Regiment of Pakistan Army) during World War II. On 12 May 1944, his battalion assaulted the formidable German defences of Gustav Line, across the River Gari in Italy, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:[1]
His clan
Jat History sources[2] mention him in the list of Jats. Where as another source [3] mentions that He was born in a Gurjar family on 17 December 1924, at Bindapura Bholupura village of Karauli District, Rajasthan. His father name was Shiv Chand Gurjar. Needs further verification.
Citation
The War Office, 27 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 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 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 bindapura village, Karauli, Rajasthan, India in 1924.[4] He died in 1982. His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.
References
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