Chhelu Ram

Chhelu Ram VC (10 May 1905 – 20 April 1943) 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 born to Ch Jiram Garhwal in a Jat family in Dinod village near Bhiwani then part of Hisar district of Punjab Province of British India.^[1][2]

Chhelu Ram
Born	10 May 1905 Dinod, Bhiwani, Punjab Province (British India)
Died	20 April 1943 (aged 37) Djebel Garci, French Tunisia
Buried	Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia
Allegiance	British India
Branch	British Indian Army
Rank	Company Havildar-Major
Unit	4th Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles
Battles / wars	World War II North African campaign Tunisian campaign (DOW)
Awards	Victoria Cross

Death

On the night of 19–20 April 1943 at Djebel Garci, Tunisia, the advance of a battalion of the 5th Indian Infantry Brigade was held up by machine-gun and mortar fire. He gave the rallying cry "Jat aur Musalmano aage badho dhava bolo" [Jats and Muslims, there must be no withdrawal! We will advance! Advance!]^[1] while attacking. Company Havildar-Major Chhelu Ram dashed forward with a Tommy-gun, killed the occupants of a machine-gun post, and then went to the aid of his company commander who had become a casualty. While doing so he was himself wounded, but taking command of the company, he led them in hand-to-hand fighting. He was again wounded, but continued rallying his men until he died.^[3]