Allegiance British India Role Armed force officer | Name Kamal Ram Rank Honorary Major Awards Victoria Cross | |
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Born 17 December 1924
Bholupura village, Karauli district, Rajasthan, India ( 1924-12-17 ) Unit 3rd Battalion 8th Punjab Regiment Battles/wars World War II
Italian Campaign Died July 1, 1982, Karauli district Battles and wars Italian Campaign, World War II | ||
Service/branch British Indian Army | ||
Sepoy Kamal Ram gurjar
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 the second-youngest Indian recipient of the award.
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Kamal Ram Gurjar was born into a Gurjar family on 17 December 1924, at Bindapura Bholupura village of Karauli District, Rajasthan, India. His father's name was Shiv Chand Gurjar.
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. King George VI presented him with the medal in Italy in 1944. He later rose to the rank of Subedar. He died in 1982.
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.
The Medal
His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.