Abdul Hafiz

Rao Abdul Hafiz Khan (4 September 19256 April 1944) 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 youngest Indian recipient of the award.

His was one of three World War II VCs awarded for action in British India, the others being awarded to John Pennington Harman and John Niel Randle both at the Battle of Kohima.

Details

Rao Abdul Hafiz hailed from Kalanaur, British Punjab, born on the 4th of September, 1925 to Choudhry Nur Mohammed in a Muslim Rajput family of the Panwar clan. He was at the age of 18, and serving as Naib Subedar in the 9th Jat Regiment, British Indian Army during World War II, when he performed the deeds for which he was awarded the VC.

On 6 April 1944, during the Battle of Imphal, Naib Subedar Rao Abdul Hafiz Khan was ordered to attack with his platoon a prominent position held by the enemy, the only approach to which was across a bare slope and then up a very steep hill. The Naib Subedar led the assault, himself killing several of the enemy, pressing on regardless of machine-gun fire. He received two wounds, the second of which was fatal; but he had succeeded in routing an enemy vastly superior in numbers, and had captured a most important position.

The citation reads as follows:

Further Information Hafiz is one of four ethnic minority winners of the Victoria Cross featured in the Ministry of Defence publication "We were there"; the subject of the brochure being minorities contribution to Great Britain in wartime. The other winners listed were William Hall, Gian Singh and Kamal Ram

The Medal His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.

Jugri Begum, widow of Naib Subedar Abdul Hafiz V.C. of the 9th Jat Regiment, with her three month old daughter. Abdul Hafiz never saw the baby.