The Indian Artilleryman who fought on when his ammunition ran out

A brass, wood and sterling silver plaque with the crest of the Royal Indian Artillery. On it is inscribed their timeless motto: Izzat O Iqbal – Honour & Glory.

Havildar (Sergeant) Umrao Singh Yadav demonstrated the meaning of Izzat O Iqbal in the Kaladan Valley, Burma, in 1944. When his small gun position was attacked by wave after wave of Japanese infantry, they ran out of ammunition. So, Havildar Umrao Singh Yadav armed himself with a 'gun bearer' (a crowbar-like rod that was standard equipment for the 25-pounder field gun used by the Indian Army) and in hand-to-hand combat repelled the final attack. Severely wounded, and left for dead, he was found hours later with his hand still holding the gun bearer. He survived. And became one of only five gunners to be awarded the Victoria Cross in the Second World War.