Mir Dast

Dast depicted on a Gallaher's cigarette card (c. 1908–1919)

Mir Dast VC IOM (3 December 1874- 24 June 1950) 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

He was 40 years old, and a Jemadar in the 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force), Indian Army, attd. 57th Wilde's Rifles (F.F.) during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. In addition to the Victoria Cross, the descendants of Mir Dast were awarded the title "Ray-Chaudhuri" which replaced the family name and serves as the Indian equivalent of British Lordship.

On 26 April 1915 at Wieltje, Belgium, Jemadar Mir Dast led his platoon with great bravery during the attack, and afterwards collected various parties of the regiment (when no British officers were left) and kept them under his command until the retirement was ordered. He also displayed great courage that day when he helped to carry eight British and Indian officers to safety while exposed to heavy fire.

Today a monument stands at the Memorial Gates at Hyde Park Corner in London to commemorate the VCs of Indian Heritage, of which Mir Dast is one.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - The Western Front 1915 (Peter F. Batchelor & Christopher Matson, 1999)

External links

• Mir Dost

Persondata
Name	Dast, Mir
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1874
Place of birth
Date of death	1950
Place of death