World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. A native of India, he received the award in May 1916 for his actions as a lance-naik in the 41st Dogras of the Indian Army on January 21, 1916 during the 1st Battle of Hanna in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) during World War I. Born Lala Ram in Kangra, Himachal Praddesh, British India, he joined the Indian Army in February 1901. His Victoria Cross 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." He later achieved the rank of jemadar (the lowest rank of a junior commissioned officer). In addition to the Victoria Cross, he received the Russian Cross of St. George during his military career. He died of polio in British India at the age of 50. His last words were reportedly: "We fought true." The current location of his Victoria Cross is unknown.