| unit = 16th Battalion, [[10th Baluch Regiment]]<br>[[Dogra Regiment]]
|commands =
| commands =
|battles =World War II
| battles = World War II
*[[Burma Campaign]]
*[[Burma Campaign]]
|battles_label =
| battles_label =
|awards =[[File:Victoria Cross (UK) ribbon.png|30px]] [[Victoria Cross]]<br>[[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|30px]] [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] (India)
| awards = [[File:UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg|30px]] [[Victoria Cross]]<br>[[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|30px]] [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] (India)
|spouse = <!-- Add spouse if reliably sourced -->
| spouse = <!-- Add spouse if reliably sourced -->
|relations =
| relations =
|laterwork =
| laterwork =
|signature =
| signature =
|website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
}}
}}
'''Bhandari Ram''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] (24 July 1919{{snd}}19 May 2002) 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 [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces.
'''Bhandari Ram''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] (24 July 1919{{snd}}19 May 2002) 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 [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces.
|[[File:India_General_Service_Medal_1947.svg|x30px]][[File:IND Samanya Seva medal.svg|x30px]][[File:IND_Samar_Seva_Star_Ribbon.svg|x30px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Samanya Seva medal.svg|width=106}}
|[[File:IND_Samar_Seva_Star_Ribbon.svg|100px]]
|}
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|[[File:IND Raksha Medal Ribbon.svg|100px]]
|[[File:Indian Independence medal 1947.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg|width=106}}
|[[File:IND Raksha Medal Ribbon.svg|x30px]][[File:Indian Independence medal 1947.svg|x30px]][[File:IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|x30px]][[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|x30px]]
|[[File:UK Victoria Cross ribbon bar.svg|x30px]][[File:Ribbon_-_1939-45_Star.png|x30px]][[File:Ribbon_-_Burma_Star.png|x30px]][[File:Ribbon_-_War_Medal.png|x30px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=UK Queen EII Coronation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal ribbon.png|width=106}}
|[[File:Ribbon India Service Medal.png|x30px]][[File:UK Queen EII Coronation Medal ribbon.svg|x30px]][[File:UK Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg|x30px]][[File:UK Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg|x30px]]
|}
|}
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[[Category:People from Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:People from Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
Bhandari RamVC (24 July 1919 – 19 May 2002) 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.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:-
No. 24782 Sepoy Bhandari Ram, 10th Baluch Regiment, Indian Army.
On the 22nd November, 1944, in East Mayu, Arakan, during a Company attack on a strongly held Japanese bunker position, Sepoy Bhandari Ram was in the leading section of one of the platoons. In order to reach its objective, his platoon had to climb a precipitous slope, by way of a narrow ridge with sheer sides.
When fifty yards from the top, the platoon came under heavy and accurate light machine gun fire. Three men were wounded, amongst them Sepoy Bhandari Ram, who received a burst of light machine gun fire in his left shoulder and a wound in his leg. The platoon was pinned down by the intense enemy fire.
Action by Sepoy Bhandari Ram, 22 November 1944, Arakan, Burma
This Sepoy then crawled up to the Japanese light machine gun, whilst in full view of the enemy, and approached to within fifteen yards of the enemy position. The enemy then hurled grenades at him, seriously wounding him in the face and chest. Undeterred, severely wounded by bullets and grenade splinters and bespattered with blood, this Sepoy, with superhuman courage and determination, crawled up to within five yards of his objective. He then threw a grenade into the position, killing the enemy gunner and two other men, and continued his crawl to the post. Inspired by his example, the Platoon rushed up and captured the position. It was only after the position had been taken that he lay down and allowed his wounds to be dressed.
By his cool courage, determination to destroy the enemy at all cost, and entire disregard for his personal safety, this young Sepoy enabled his Platoon to capture what he knew to be the key to the whole enemy position.
He continued to serve in the post-independence Indian Army, receiving promotion to subedar on 13 May 1958,[5] and to subedar major on 30 March 1967.[6] Bhandari Ram retired from the army in August 1969 with the honorary rank of captain.[7] He died in 2002.
British India
India
British Indian Army
Indian Army
Victoria Cross
Param Vishisht Seva Medal (India)
