Ali Haidar

Ali Haidar Khan (21 August 1913 – 15 July 1999 He was again wounded, this time in the right leg and right arm. Although weakened by loss of blood, with great determination Sepoy Ali Haidar crawled closer and in a final effort raised himself from the ground, threw a grenade, and charged into the second enemy post. Two enemy were wounded and the remaining two surrendered.

Taking advantage of the outstanding success of Sepoy Ali Haidar's dauntless attacks, the rest of the Company charged across the river and carried out their task of making a bridgehead. Sepoy Ali Haidar was picked up and brought back from the second position seriously wounded. He was sent to Lanciano to be treated for his wounds. He then fought in the Arzignano, Marino, Pescara, Verona and Milan sectors of the campaign and eventually retired from the army after the war ended. The conspicuous gallantry, initiative, and determination combined with a complete disregard for his own life shown by this very brave Sepoy in the face of heavy odds were an example to the whole Company. His heroism had saved the rest of the company. With the rapid advance which it was possible to make the Battalion captured 3 officers and 217 other ranks and gained their objectives. The rest of the company were then able to cross the river and establish a bridgehead. Due to his bravery, he received the Victoria Cross from King George VI in October 1945. He retired to a small scrub farm with his wife in his hometown of Kohat and died on 15 July 1999.

Further information He was born in Kohat, North-West Frontier Provinces of the British Indian Empire in what is now Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan to a Bangash Pashtun family. He would achieve the rank of Naib Subedar in his parent battalion, 6th Royal Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles which later redesignated as 1st Battalion (Scinde) The Frontier Force Regiment. His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum in London.