Richhpal Ram


Richhpal Ram VC 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.

His family

Richhpal Ram came from Barda village, tehsil Satnali district Bhiwani in Haryana. Karim Makdisi, Vijay Prashad. 2017. University of California Press. p232. Accessed: 10/04/2018 He belongs to Jat family of Lamba. He had 2 sons & 1 daughter.

Career

Ram enlisted on 20 August 1920 in the 4/6th Rajputana Rifles.
He was 41 years old, and a Subedar in the 6th Rajputana Rifles, in the Indian Army during World War II when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC during the Battle of Keren.
On 7 February 1941 at Keren, Eritrea, Subadar Richhpal Ram led a successful attack on the enemy and subsequently repelled six counter-attacks and then, without a shot left, brought the few survivors of his company back. Five days later, when leading another attack, his right foot was blown off, but he continued to encourage his men until he died.
The official citation for the award, published in the London Gazette on 4 July 1941 reads:

The medal

The Victoria Cross Medal is displayed in Delhi Cantonment Raj Rifles Officer Mess.