Allegiance British India Died April 20, 1943, Tunisia Rank Company Havildar-Major | Name Chhelu Ram Awards Victoria Cross Role Armed force officer | |
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Buried at Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia Unit 4th Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles Battles/wars World War II
Tunisia Campaign Place of burial Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia Battles and wars World War II, Tunisia Campaign Similar People Dwight D Eisenhower, Albert Kesselring, Hans‑Jurgen von Arnim, Bernard Montgomery - 1st Visco, Harold Alexander - 1st Earl A | ||
Service/branch British Indian Army | ||
Chhelu Ram VC (10 May 1905 – 20 April 1943) 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
He was 37 years old, and a Company Havildar-Major in the 4/6th Rajputana Rifles, in the Indian Army during World War II when he performed the following deed for which he was awarded the VC.
On the night of 19–20 April 1943 at Djebel Garci, Tunisia, the advance of a battalion of the 5th Indian Infantry Brigade was held up by machine-gun and mortar fire. Company Havildar-Major Chhelu Ram dashed forward with a Tommy-gun, killed the occupants of a machine-gun post, and then went to the aid of his company commander who had become a casualty. While doing so he was himself wounded, but taking command of the company, he led them in hand-to-hand fighting. He was again wounded, but continued rallying his men until he died.