The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" across the British and Commonwealth forces. From 1912 to 1947, forty Victoria Crosses were awarded to Indian soldiers — among them these Sikhs, whose courage stands among the finest in the decoration's history.
Sepoy Ishar Singh
Sepoy (later Captain)
Unit
28th Punjab Regiment, Indian Army
Conflict
Waziristan Campaign
Date of action
10 April 1921
Place
Haidari Kach, India
The first Sikh soldier to win the Victoria Cross. When his convoy was attacked, he was severely wounded in the chest but charged the enemy, recovered the captured Lewis gun and got it back into action. After handing over the gun he ignored his wound to carry water to the wounded and shield the medical officer under fire, refusing evacuation for nearly three hours.
Lance Daffadar Gobind Singh
Lance Daffadar
Unit
28th Light Cavalry, Indian Cavalry
Conflict
First World War
Date of action
1 February 1917
Place
East of Peizieres, France
Thrice volunteered to carry messages between the regiment and Brigade Headquarters — a distance of 1½ miles over open ground under heavy enemy fire. He delivered the message each time, though on every occasion his horse was shot and he was forced to finish the journey on foot.
Risaldar Badlu Singh
Risaldar
Unit
14th Murray's Jat Lancers, attd. 29th Lancers
Conflict
First World War
Date of action
23 September 1918
Place
West bank of the Jordan
When his squadron came under heavy fire from a hill held by machine guns and 200 infantry, he collected six men and, with the greatest dash and disregard for danger, charged and captured the position. He was mortally wounded capturing a machine gun single-handed, but the enemy had surrendered before he died.
Naik Nand Singh
Naik
Unit
Sikh Regiment, Indian Army
Conflict
Second World War
Date of action
11–12 March 1944
Place
Maungdaw–Buthidaung Road, Burma
Ordered to recapture a position taken by the enemy, he led his section up a steep, knife-edged ridge under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. Wounded in the thigh he captured the first trench, then crawled forward alone and — wounded again in the face and shoulder — took the second and third trenches.
Captain Umrao Singh
Havildar (Honorary Captain)
Unit
33 Mountain Battery, Indian Artillery
Conflict
Second World War
Date of action
15–16 December 1944
Place
Kaladan Valley, Burma
After a 90-minute bombardment, his advanced gun position was attacked by waves of Japanese infantry. He held them off with a Bren gun, was wounded by grenades, and when ammunition ran out fought hand to hand with a gun bearer, striking down three attackers. Found alive six hours later, ten enemy dead around him.
Naik Gian Singh
Naik
Unit
4th Battalion, 15th Punjab Regiment
Conflict
Second World War
Date of action
2 March 1945
Place
Kamye–Myingyan Road, Burma
In charge of the leading section, he advanced alone firing his tommy gun and rushed the enemy foxholes. Wounded in the arm, he pressed on hurling grenades, killed the crew of a concealed anti-tank gun, then led his men down a lane clearing every enemy position until the action was complete.
Jemadar Prakash Singh
Jemadar
Unit
Indian Army
Conflict
Second World War
Date of action
16–17 February 1945
Place
Kanlan Ywathit, Burma
Commanding a platoon under fierce attack, he was wounded in both ankles, then resumed command when his deputy fell. Wounded again in both legs, he dragged himself from place to place by his hands to direct the defence. Mortally wounded a third time, he lay shouting the Sikh battle-cry, inspiring his company to drive the enemy off.
Lieutenant Karamjeet Singh Judge
Lieutenant
Unit
Indian Army
Conflict
Second World War
Date of action
18 March 1945
Place
Near Meiktila, Burma
A platoon commander tasked with capturing a cotton mill, he dominated the battlefield with repeated acts of gallantry, eliminating ten enemy bunkers. He directed a tank to within 20 yards of another bunker and went in to mop up, where he was mortally wounded. Awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.
Subadar Ram Sarup Singh
Acting Subadar
Unit
2nd Bn., 1st Punjab Regiment, Indian Army
Conflict
Second World War
Date of action
25 October 1944
Place
Kennedy Peak, Tiddim, Burma
His platoon routed the enemy from a strong position. Wounded in both legs he carried on, and halted a fierce counter-attack with a dashing counter-charge in which he killed four of the enemy himself. Wounded again in the thigh, he led on, killing two more before being mortally wounded.
Source: SikhiWiki — Victoria Cross. Citations adapted from the London Gazette and contemporary records.