Lala (VC) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jemadar
Lala
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'Lance Naik Lala, V.C.', 1916
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| Born | 20 April 1876 Kangra, British India |
| Died | 23 March 1927 (aged 50) |
| Service/ |
 British Indian Army |
| Rank | Jemadar |
| Unit | 41st Dogras |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |  Victoria Cross Cross of St. George |
Lala VC (born April 20, 1876 – died March 23, 1927) was a brave soldier from India. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for courage in battle. This special medal is given to soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth.
Contents
Lala's Early Life and Military Start
Lala was born in Parol village, in the Kangra district of what was then British India. His birth date is recorded as April 20, 1876. His father, Dhinga, was a respected landowner. Lala did not go to a formal school, but he learned to read and write Hindi.
In 1901, Lala joined the 41st Dogra regiment. This regiment was quite new, having been formed in 1900. Lala was known as a good sportsman and played football for his regiment. Before World War I began, he served with his unit on the China coast from 1904 to 1908.
Serving in World War I
In August 1923, Lala became a Jemadar. This was an officer rank in the Indian Army. His military records show he first served in Egypt, helping to protect the Suez Canal. Later, his regiment moved to France. There, Lala was wounded in a battle.
Many Indian soldiers who were injured were sent to a special hospital. This hospital was set up in the Brighton Pavilion in England. It was chosen because its "eastern" style of architecture might make Indian soldiers feel more at home.
The Mesopotamia Campaign
After he recovered, Lala rejoined his regiment in Mesopotamia. This area is now known as Iraq. British and Indian forces had arrived there in November 1914. Their first goal was to protect oil refineries. However, the fighting grew much larger.
General Charles Townshend led the forces. He tried to capture Baghdad. His troops won some battles but suffered heavy losses. In November 1915, they fought a tough battle at Ctesiphon. The army then had to retreat to Kut-al-Amara. This led to the famous "Siege of Kut." In April 1916, the entire British and Indian army there had to surrender. Many soldiers became prisoners of war and faced terrible conditions.
While the siege was happening, many more British and Indian soldiers were sent to Mesopotamia. They tried hard to rescue the trapped army in Kut. But they faced strong Turkish defenses. Tens of thousands of soldiers were injured or killed in these rescue attempts.
Lala's Incredible Bravery
It was during one of these difficult rescue attempts that Lala earned his Victoria Cross. On January 21, 1916, his regiment, the 41st Dogras, attacked Turkish positions. This was near Al Orah, close to the Tigris River. The weather was terrible, with pouring rain. The ground was flooded and muddy.
Lala was a Lance Naik, a junior leader. He showed amazing courage that day. He found a British officer from another regiment who was badly wounded. The officer was lying very close to the enemy lines. Lala bravely pulled him to a small, safe spot he had made. He had already bandaged four other wounded soldiers there.
After bandaging the officer, Lala heard calls for help. It was his own Adjutant, Captain Lindop, who was also badly hurt. He was lying out in the open. The enemy was only about 100 yards away. Going out there seemed like certain death. But Lance Naik Lala insisted on going to his Adjutant.
He offered to crawl back with Captain Lindop on his back. When this was not possible, Lala took off his own clothes. He used them to keep the wounded officer warm. He stayed with him until it was almost dark. Then, he returned to the shelter.
After dark, Lala carried the first wounded officer back to the main trenches. Then, he went back with a stretcher. He carried his Adjutant safely back too. Lala's actions were a shining example of courage and loyalty to his officers.
More Details of His Heroism
Lala rescued six men in total that day. Captain Lindop, his Adjutant, sadly died later from his wounds. But before he passed away, he told others about Lala's bravery. Other accounts describe the awful conditions. Not only was there danger from enemy fire, but the weather was freezing. Wounded soldiers lay in pools of rain and flooded marshland. Some even drowned or died from the cold.
One of Lala's officers said he "earned his VC a dozen times." He added that it was "a typically Dogra-like act of Lala to strip himself and to make a shield of his body for his Adjutant."
Major General Sir George Younghusband also wrote about Lala's actions. He explained how Lala first helped a Major, binding his wounds. Then, he rescued four more comrades. When he heard his Adjutant calling, the Major told him not to go. He said Lala would surely be shot. But Lala was determined. He said, "I'll be back in a minute" and rushed to his Adjutant.
Captain Lindop later described how Lala appeared with "cheering words." Lala bandaged his wounds and covered him with his own coat. He then lay down to shield Captain Lindop from bullets. For five hours, Lala stayed like this in the wet and cold. He kept talking to the Captain, keeping his spirits up. When it got dark, Lala went to get stretcher-bearers. He then carried Captain Lindop on his back to safety. After that, he went back for the Major and the four other soldiers, bringing them all to safety. Amazingly, Lala was not hit by any bullets or shells.
Awards and Later Life
For his bravery, Lala also received the 1st Class of the Russian Cross of St. George. This was a very rare honor for an Indian soldier. He was also mentioned in official dispatches for his actions.
Lala returned to India in 1917. On January 30, 1917, the Governor-General of India, Lord Chelmsford, presented medals at a special ceremony. Lance Naik Lala received his Victoria Cross at this event.
Lala continued to serve in the army. He fought in the Third Afghan War in 1919. He was later awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He also advanced to the officer rank of Jemadar in 1923. After 25 years of service, he retired in 1926. He went back to his home in Parol village.
Sadly, Lala did not get to enjoy his retirement for long. He became ill with polio and passed away in March 1927. His last words are said to have been, "We fought true."
Today, Lala is remembered as one of India's brave Victoria Cross winners. A memorial plaque was recently given by Great Britain to the Indian Government to honor their VC winners, and Lala's name is on it. At one time, a local park was named after him. Although its name was changed, there are calls to restore it to his name.
The Medals
Lala's actual Victoria Cross medal has never been found. His Russian Gold Cross of St. George is also missing. However, some of his other medals still exist. These include his British War Medal, his India General Service Medal (with a clasp for "Afghanistan/NWF 1919"), and his Meritorious Service Medal. These medals have been offered for sale several times, most recently in 2013.
Images for kids
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'Lance Naik Lala, V.C.', 1916
