Kamal Ram

Kamal Ram, VC (17 December 1924 – 1 July 1982) 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 first-youngest Indian recipient of the award.

Life

Kamal Ram's name is inscribed on the Memorial Gates at Constitution Hill in London.

Kamal Ram was born into a Gurjar family on 17 December 1924, in the village of Bholupura, Karauli district, British India (now in Rajasthan, India). His father's name was Shiv Chand. During the Second World War, he served in the 3rd Battalion, 8th Punjab Regiment, British Indian Army (now the 3rd Battalion, Baloch Regiment, Pakistan Army). He was 19 years old, with the rank of Sepoy, when, on 12 May 1944, his battalion assaulted the formidable German defences of the Gustav Line, across the River Gari in Italy; and he performed the deeds for which he was awarded the VC. The citation reads as follows:

King George VI is driven past cheering Indian troops on his way to a ceremony to invest Sepoy Kamal Ram with the Victoria Cross, Italy, 26 July 1944.

King George VI presented him with the medal in Italy in 1944. He remained in the Indian Army post-independence, rising to the rank of Havildar (sergeant) before receiving a promotion to Jemadar (now Naib subedar) on 18 May 1960, and further promotions to Subedar on 1 March 1964 and to Subedar-major on 1 January 1970. He retired in 1972 with the rank of Honorary Lieutenant, and died in 1982.

Further Information Ram is one of four ethnic minority Victoria Cross winners commemorated in the Ministry of Defence brochure "We were there", which documents ethnic minority contribution to Great Britain in times of war in every aspect of military life. The other Victoria Cross winners included in the publication are William Hall, Gian Singh and Abdul Hafiz.

Family Kamal Ram was married to Smt. Surjo Devi (born 8 May 1924), Mrs. Surjo Devi is still alive. who is known for being honoured in several public ceremonies for her husband’s bravery.

kamal ram vc was the son of Shivchand Gurjar and Rukmani Devi.

Kamal Ram had four sons: Shishram Gurjar (gov. principal ) Prem Singh Gurjar (havaldar) Jeetpal Singh Gurjar (Subedar, Indian Army) Hari Singh Gurjar(Havaldar, Indian Army)

grandsons Dharmendra Singh (8239484822) Dr. Pradeep gurjar (7014606685) Satpal Singh Gurjar (teacher) Hemraj Singh (bsf) Devi Singh (ntpc) Amrit Singh (teacher) dr.Dheer Singh Gurjar (amc) dr.Dillep Singh (amc) Rajveer Singh (Sarpanch) Rakesh Singh (sarpanch) Badal Gurjar

Members of his extended family continue to live in Bholupura karauli rajasthan (322255)

The medal

His Victoria Cross is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London. And now the Victoria Cross is kept safe with the family in Bholupura.