Lala

Lala VC (b. 20 April 1876) 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.

Details

Lala was 33 years old, and a Lance-Naik in the 41st Dogras, Indian Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 21 January 1916 at El Orah, Mesopotamia, finding a British officer lying close to the enemy, Lance-Naik Lala dragged him into a temporary shelter. After bandaging his wounds, the lance-naik heard calls from his own adjutant who was lying wounded in the open. The enemy was only convert|100|yd away, nevertheless Lance-Naik Lala insisted on going to help. He stripped off his own clothing to keep the wounded officer warm and stayed with him until just before dark when he returned to the shelter. After dark he carried the first wounded officer to safety and then, returning with a stretcher, carried back his adjutant. He later achieved the rank of Jemadar. He died several years later from polio and his last words were "We fought True".

References

* [http://www.wewerethere.mod.uk/wewerethere_old/vcwin.html MOD info]
* [http://www.eviltaxman.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/vclinfo.htm Profile inc. citation]