Writing this story is important because of two reason one is to remember the fallen hero of the motherland India who sacrificed their life fighting by the British so that the next generation can see the sunrise of independence, yes the Britishers have committed India of their own government if they fight for the British empire in WWI and another reason is the ignorance of the Indian government to recognise their sacrifices.
The battle of wadi occurred on 13 January 1916, in which British forces made an unsuccessful attempt to relive the siege of 25000 men of the Anglo-Indian force surrounded by Ottoman forces.
This is the most painful part which comes to notice that Chatta Singh's lifetime achievement was auctioned in London on 22 December 2006 for 520 Pounds the incident occurred when her daughter went to Singapore and there the airport authority removed the cross.
Who was Chatta Singh?
Chatta Singh was born on 1st January 1887, he was from Tilsada village of Kanpur district and a Sepoy, 9th Bhopal Infantry, 21st Brigade, 7th Meerut Division, Indian Army.
His Bravery.
The battle of wadi occurred on 13 January 1916, in which British forces made an unsuccessful attempt to relive the siege of 25000 men of the Anglo-Indian force surrounded by Ottoman forces.
In this battle when Lieutenant Colonel Thomas of 9th Bhopal Infantry shot in leg near Turkish army trenches on the far side of the river Wadi, Lieutenant was grieving from pain and was helpless with bullet in the leg and was lying open in the ground vulnerable to Turkish forces firing, not a single Britisher dared to go in front of the enemy firing and protect their Lieutenant.
By seeing his Lieutenant in pain Chatta Singh decided to go and help him, he rose and left his cover without fear of the enemy's bullet, he ran towards fallen British Lieutenant amid the heavy firing and after running few yards by dodging every bullet fired he reached to the fallen soldier. Then he assisted British officer and dragged him in a small trench.
He looked everywhere and decided to carry Lieutenant and get back into cover. But with the bright daylight and open ground it was impossible without being hit by the bullet. He displayed bravery with brains and decided to cover the lieutenant and shielding him with his body exposed to the bullets of the enemy for five hours and waited for the dark.
When it was dark he went back and brought other soldiers to bring the lieutenant to the cover and ultimately he was successful in his attempt.
Latter Thomas (Lieutenant) died from his injuries.
Award
He was awarded the Victoria Cross on 21 June 1916, the medal was posted to India and it is believed that it was presented to him by Captain Ralston.
After Life
Later he was transferred to 16th Punjab Regiment and survived the Great War. He finished his army career as Havaldar and lived his life in his village Tilasada, he died on 28th March 1961 and cremated in Tilasada.
The then Prime Minister Ms.Indira Gandhi has awarded Chatta Singh the Sangram Medal and promised his family of a government job, but no one paid heed on this from the local government.
The British government in the surprising move asked permission from the Indian government to make his memorial in his village and the foundation stone has been laid.
Victoria Cross Auctioned
This is the most painful part which comes to notice that Chatta Singh's lifetime achievement was auctioned in London on 22 December 2006 for 520 Pounds the incident occurred when her daughter went to Singapore and there the airport authority removed the cross.
It is not important that how it is lost but it is important that the Victoria Cross shall be returned by the bidder or the efforts should be made by our government to bring it back and return it to the true owners of it.
Indian government should also fulfil the commitments made by the earlier Prime Minister for a government job to Chatta Sing's family member at least we can do this little for our brave heroes who fought for us for our better today.
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