Sepoy Bhandari Ram

Columnist Capt (Retd) A A JILANI writes about a World War 2 Victoria Cross for a sepoy of 16 Baluch Regt.

Sepoy Bhandari Ram was awarded the coveted Victoria Cross for outstanding gallantry while serving in the Fourteenth Army BURMA campaign 1944. His gallant action was a desperate individual effort to overcome enemy opposition at a crucial moment in battle — which very nearly cost him his life and for which he earned the highest award for valour. Amongst soldiers there are no racial or religious barriers when it comes to regard and respect for extreme bravery on the battlefield. The British Army held no reservations about their admiration for their chief opponent and enemy Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel.

Towards the close of 1944 General Sir William Slim decided to release three of his own Divisions from the Arakan Peninsula where they were containing Lt. General Sakurai Seizo’s 28th Japanese Army between the Irrawaddy and the Bay of Bengal so as to augment his planned offensive into central BURMA. The 5th Corps was ordered to clear ARAKAN leaving one Division in occupation there while the other three Divisions were diverted to the main offensive. As a preliminary, the 25th Indian Division was given the task of clearing the route into north-western ARAKAN through the Mayu Hills. The 16 BALUCH Regt. was under command of 51 Indian Brigade which formed part of this Division.

On 22 November 1944, during a company attack on a strongly held Japanese bunker position, Sepoy Bhandari Ram was in the leading section of an attacking Platoon from 16 BALUCH Regt. To reach the objective it was necessary to climb a steep slope via a narrow sheer-sided ridge. Just fifty yards from the crest, the leading section came under accurate enemy fire which wounded three men including Sepoy Bhandari Ram who was hit in the leg and shoulder. Intense light machinegun fire from the Japanese positions then held down the platoon, thus delaying the company attack. Undeterred by his wounds Bhandari Ram crawled forward about 15 yards towards the enemy machinegun position, intending to attack it with grenades. But before he could do so the Japanese hurled grenades at him, wounding him in the face and chest.

In extreme pain from grenade splinters and spattered with blood, Sepoy Bhandari Ram continued to crawl forward and reaching within about 5 yards he threw a grenade into the enemy post killing the machine-gunner and two others with him. Inspired by his example, the platoon rushed forward and captured the complete position. As his comrades returned to him, Sepoy Bhandari asked. “Is the enemy position taken?” When told that it was, he replied: “Then I can die now, my duty is done”. But he survived and his comrades carried him to the Ads after dressing his grievous wounds.

The official Citation for his Victoria Cross summed up his action as follows:

“By his outstanding gallantry, determination to destroy the enemy at all cost and entire disregard for his personal safety, this young Sepoy enabled his platoon to capture what he knew to be the key to the whole enemy position”

One is hushed with awe and almost spellbound just to read the details about Sepoy Bhandari Ram’s bravery in the face of the enemy. Time and time again, although grievously wounded, he exposed himself to extreme danger as he persisted to crawl forward to the enemy position. His magnificent and spontaneous gallantry was a great source of inspiration to all his comrades on the battlefield. One feels a deep sense of reverence for such display of unselfish heroism.

Hardly a few hours before his character was put to the test, he was just Mr Ordinary Sepoy amongst hundreds of other ordinary soldiers, some of whom would soon owe their lives to him. He was performing his ordinary routine under the ordinary stress and strain of battle — perhaps checking his ammunition, cleaning his weapon or eating his K-rations. He could never have imagined such super-human capacity in himself whereby he would rise to the occasion so magnificently. It just goes to prove — as if any proof was needed — that no man is ordinary. Sepoy Bhandari Ram was certainly an extra-ordinary person whose act of sheer heroism illuminated the blood-stained battlefield. This was his day and it would be remembered as such.

After the war Sepoy Bhandari Ram VC stood alongside Field-Marshal Lord Gort VC and others from the galaxy of Victoria Cross holders to be honoured by King George VI for their distinguished role in the long struggle against His Majesty’s enemies. At the time of Partition in 1947, due to the revised class composition of the pre-Partition Regiments, Sepoy Bhandari Ram reluctantly transferred to the Dogra Regt where he served on for a further 22 years until his retirement in November 1969 with the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva (Most Distinguished Service Medal). In retired life he took up farming at his home in District Bilaspur of Himachel Pradesh until ill-health prevented him from working in the fields.

Even upto last year Bhandari Ram had been regularly attending the annual Reunions of the Victoria Cross Association at London. I regret to inform The BALUCH Regt that the old soldier died peacefully at his home on 19 May 2002 aged 82 years. He is survived by his widow Champa Devi, three sons and two daughters. May the Almighty grant him the best of times through smooth waters and into green pastures.

The BALUCH Regt created a montage of his VC-winning action and of his Army life which was presented to The Army and Navy Club UK last year to perpetuate the memory of the brave Sepoy Bhandari Ram VC.

Almighty, in thy gracious keeping

Leave we now thy soldier sleeping.