AFVOA Newletters of Year 2002

Page 45 of 84 could do so, the enemy hurled grenades at him, wounding him in the face and chest. In extreme pain from grenade splinters and spattered with blood, Bhandari Ram resumed his crawl forward and, when within five yards, threw a grenade into the enemy post killing the machine gunner and two others with him. Inspired by his example, his platoon rushed forward and captured the complete position. As his comrades returned to him, Bhandari Ram asked: “Is the enemy position taken?” When told that it was, he replied: “Then I can die now, my work is done.” But he survived. His comrades dressed his wounds and carried him carefully to the regimental aid post. The citation for his Victoria Cross summed up his action with the words: “By his outstanding gallantry, determination to destroy the enemy at all cost and entire disregard for his personal safely, this young Sepoy enabled his platoon to capture what he knew to be the key to the whole enemy position.” Bhandari Ram was a Hindu from the Simla Hills. He was born in the village of Serun<Illegible> in 1919 and enlisted in the 10th Baluch Regiment shortly before the outbreak of war. He had taken part in critical actions against the Japanese before the incident in November 1944, including the bitterly fought battle of Ngakyedauk Pass in northern Arakan, which bested for 25 days during February 1944 and finally brought to an end the much-vaunted Japanese “March on Delhi” ….their last strategic offensive against India. Like so many of his fellow hillsmen, Bhandari Ram was a natural soldier. He served on after the end of the Second World War, but the Partition of India in 1947 presented him with a problem. Predominantly recruited from Baluchistan, which was to become part of Pakistan, the 10th Baluch was no longer the regiment for a Hindu. He therefore transferred to the Dogra Regiment in the new Indian Army. He served for a further 22 years, took part in operations in Jammu-Kashmir and was commissioned. He was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for Most Distinguished Service — before leaving the army with the rank of captain at the age of 50 in November 1969. In retirement he farmed in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh until ill health prevented him. Over the years he regularly visited London for reunions of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, the final time being last year. The Baluch Regiment created a montage of his VC-winning action and of his army life, and last year this was presented to the Army and Navy Club. Ram married Champa Devi in 1950. She survives him together with three sons and two daughters. Bhandari Ram’s death leaves 16 surviving holders of the Victoria Cross. Captain Bhandari Ram, VC, was born in Serunia, India, on July 24, 1919. He died on May 19, 2002, aged 82. @@@@@@@@@@@ Sponsors We welcome out members to sponsor/obtain sponsors for each issue of the Newsletter. Two of members who are actively engaged in business, did contribute for the last two issues. We are still hoping that similar like-minded members will come forward to sponsor this and subsequent issues of the Newsletters. Appeal Since the issue of the Telephone Directory, last year, and a number of changes have occurred due to changes in residence, technical reasons due to change of exchanges and many