Bhandari Ram


Bhandari Ram, VC, 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

Ram was born on 24 July 1919, in a Brahmin family at the village of Serva Geharwin, which was part of Bilaspur State. He was Sepoy in the 16th Battalion 10th Baluch Regiment, British Indian 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:
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

General [Service Medal 1947]Samanya Seva MedalSamar Seva Star-
Raksha MedalIndian Independence Medal20 Years Long Service Medal9 Years Long Service Medal
Victoria Cross1939–45 StarBurma StarWar Medal 1939-1945
India Service MedalQueen Elizabeth II Coronation MedalQueen Elizabeth II [Silver Jubilee Medal]Queen Elizabeth II [Golden Jubilee Medal]