Umrao Singh

Rank: Havildar
Unit: Royal Indian Artillery, Indian Army
Awarded: 16th October 1945
Nationality: Indian

The citation in the London Gazette of 29th May 1945 gives the following details:

In the Kaladan Valley, in Burma, on 15th/16th December, 1944, Havildar Umrao Singh was in charge of one gun in an advanced section of his battery when it was subjected to heavy fire from 75 mm guns and mortars for 1½ hours prior to being attacked by two Companies of Japanese. When the attack came he so inspired his gun detachment by his personal example and encouragement to fight and defend their gun, that they were able to beat off the attack with losses to the enemy. Though twice wounded by grenades in the first attack, he again held off the second enemy attack by skilful control of his detachment's small arms fire, and by manning a Bren gun himself which he fired over the shield of his gun at the Japanese who had got to within five yards range. Again the enemy were beaten off with heavy losses. Third and fourth attacks were also beaten off in the same manner by the resolute action and great courage of Havildar Umrao Singh. By this time all his gun detachment had been killed or wounded with the exception of himself and two others. When the final attack came, the other gun having been over-run and all his ammunition expended, he seized a gun bearer and calling once again on all who remained, he closed with the enemy in furious hand-to-hand fighting and was seen to strike down three Japanese in a desperate effort to save his gun, until he was overwhelmed and knocked senseless. Six hours later, when a counter-attack restored the position, he was found in an exhausted state beside his gun and almost unrecognisable with seven severe wounds, and ten dead Japanese round him. By his personal example and magnificent bravery Havildar Umrao Singh set a supreme example of gallantry and devotion to duty. When recovered, his gun was fit to fire and was in fact in action again and firing later that same day.

Additional Information

Singh was born into a poor farming family north of Delhi.
He joined the Army in 1939.
Later promoted to the rank of Hon. Captain.
Singh was the only recipient from the Royal Artillery to get a VC during WW2.
He retired from the British Indian Army in 1946 and re-inlisted into the Indian Army finally retiring in 1965.
Singh was also the last Indian survivor of 40 VC’s awarded to eligible Indian soldiers between 1912 and 1947.
During the 1995 50th VE-Day celebrations in London he was refused entry into the VIP tent because his name was not on the list.
Fortunately a senior British Army officer (Brig Tom Longland) saw his medals and immediately ordered him to be allowed in.
Singh complained to the then Prime Minister John Major that the Indian soldiers pension was only £168 a year paid to the 10 surviving Indian VC holdiers. It was subsequently raised to £1,300 per year.
When Singh died he was cremated and given a full military funeral.
In spite of personal hardship and receiving substantial offers, Singh refused to sell his medal during his lifetime, saying that selling the medal would “stain the honour of those who fell in battle”.

Credit to ww2talk.com forum