501

L/Naik Lala

41st Dogras

Date of Action: 21 January 1916

Place of Action: El Orah, Mesopotamia

Date and Place of Birth:  20 April 1876; V. Parol, Hamirpur, H.P.; son of Dhinga

Enrolled:  20 February 1901

CITATION

"Finding a British officer of another regiment lying close to the enemy, he dragged him to a temporary shelter, which he himself had made, and in which he had already bandaged four wounded men.

"After bandaging his wounds [the officer's], he [Lala] heard calls from the adjutant of his regiment who was lying in the open severely wounded. The enemy were not more than a hundred yards distant, and it seemed certain death to go out in that direction, but Lance Naik Lala insisted on going to his Adjutant and offered to crawl back with him on his back at once. When this was not permitted, he stripped off his own clothing to keep the wounded officer warmer and stayed with him till just before dark, when he returned to the shelter.

"After dark, he carried the first wounded officer back to the main trenches, and, then, returning with a stretcher, carried back his Adjutant.

"He set a magnificent example of courage and devotion to his officers." (London Gazette, 13 May 1916)

L/Nk Lala was also awarded the Russian Cross of St. George, 1st class (authorized in Army Order 1065 of 1917).

A link to Lala on Mike Chapman's VC pages.