Lance Naik Lala

Lala VC (20 April 1876 – 23 March 1927) 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 soldiers.

He was born at Parol, Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh, India in 1876. He entered the Indian Army in February 1901. He was 38 years old, and a Lance-Naik in the 41st Dogras, Indian Army, when he was awarded the VC during World War I for most conspicuous bravery.

The citation reads:

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on No. 501 Lance Naik Lala, 41st Dogras, Indian Army, for most conspicuous bravery.

Finding a British officer of another regiment lying close to the enemy, he dragged him into a temporary shelter, which he himself had made, and in which he had already bandaged four wounded men. After bandaging his wounds he heard calls from the Adjutant of his own regiment who was lying in the open severely wounded. The enemy were not more than one hundred yards distant, and it seemed certain death to go out in that direction, but Lance Naik Lala insisted on going out 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.

He later achieved the rank of Jemadar. He died in 1927 from polio, and his last words were, "We fought true".

Some of his medals excluding the VC, whose whereabouts are unknown, were offered for auction in June 2013.