Exemplary tales of valour of 175 men – including six Indians – who fought in different theatres during World War I have been put online in a new digital archive of Victoria Cross recipients.
The Victoria Cross (VC), Britain’s highest military decoration for valour, was awarded to the 175 men from 11 countries. As a mark of gratitude, bronze memorial plaques were presented to their home countries in June 2014, including India.
According to the archive created by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the six Indian VC recipients and their location of action were: Badlu Singh (Palestine), Chatta Singh (Mesopotamia), Darwan Singh Negi (France), Gabar Singh Negi (France), Gobind Singh (France) and Lala (Mesopotamia).
Foreign office minister Hugo Swire said: “Behind every name engraved on the memorial plaques there is a truly remarkable story. It is fitting that we pay tribute to the Victoria Cross recipients from overseas by bringing their stories together in this digital archive.
“By doing so we are sending a message that these men, and the important role played by their home countries in the First World War, will never be forgotten by the people of the United Kingdom.”
{{/usCountry}}“By doing so we are sending a message that these men, and the important role played by their home countries in the First World War, will never be forgotten by the people of the United Kingdom.”
{{/usCountry}}The VC recipients were from Canada (70 VCs), Australia (66), New Zealand (16), South Africa (14), India (6), the US (5), Pakistan (3), Nepal (2), Denmark (2), Belgium (1) and Ukraine (1).