MOHAN BHANDARI'S RUMINATIONS: GARHWALIS & THE VICTORIA CROSS

ON VICTORIA CROSS FROM BOOK OF DAYS,1869.

" On 8 Feb the London Gazette announced that Her Majesty

had under Royal Sign Manual been pleased to institute a new naval & military decoration entitled as the ' Victoria Cross'.This order is to be conferred for VALOUR only-irrespective of rank & station;& the recipient becomes entitled to a pension of 10 Pounds a year for life.

The Victoria Cross is a simple affair as a work of art.It consists of a bronze Maltese Cross with Royal Crest in the centre,and underneath it a scroll bearing the words ' FOR VALOUR ' ; It is suspended by a red ribbon if worn on the breast of a soldier and a blue ribbon if worn by a sailor"

Indians became eligible for the award only in 1911.

The following gallant GARHWALIS - PRIDE OF THE GARHWAL

RIFLES REGIMENT were awarded the coveted VICTORIA CROSS :-

1. Nk DARWAN Singh Negi - 1 Battalion 39 Garhwal Rifles .Battle of Festubert,France.23-24 November 1914.WW I.

2.Rifleman Gabar Singh Negi-2 Battalion 39 Garhwal Rifles.Battle of Neuve Chapelle,France.10 March 1915 ( Posthumous).

3.Lt WD Kenny.4 Battalion 39 Garhwal Rifles.Battle of Springhara Ridge. Kotkai. Waziristan.2 January 1920.(Posthumous).

Veero Tumhe Koti-Koti Pranam.

JAI BADRI VISHAL.

JAI HIND.