209559 Subedar Khudadad Khan VCBritish Indian Army 129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis from:Pakistan Khudadad Khan was the first native-born Indian to win the VC for an act of bravery on the 31st of October 1914, at Hollebeke, Belgium. Born in the village of Dab in District Jhelum of the Punjab Province, Khudadad Khan was a Sepoy in the 129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis, British Indian Army, part of the Indian Corps, which was sent to France in October 1914.
The 129th Baluchis were rushed to the frontline to support the hard-pressed British troops. On 31st of October, two companies of the Baluchis bore the brunt of the main German attack near the village of Gheluvelt in Hollebeke Sector. The out-numbered Baluchis fought gallantly but were overwhelmed after suffering heavy casualties. Sepoy Khudadad Khan's machine-gun team, along with one other, kept their guns in action throughout the day, preventing the Germans from making the final breakthrough. The other gun was disabled by a shell and eventually Khudadad Khan's own team was overrun. All the men were killed by bullets or bayonets except Khudadad Khan, who despite being badly wounded, had continued working his gun. He was left for dead by the enemy but despite his wounds, he managed to crawl back to his regiment during the night. The Germans had been held up just long enough for Indian and British reinforcements to arrive. They strengthened the line, and prevented the German Army from reaching the vital coastal ports. For his matchless feat of courage and gallantry, Sepoy Khudadad Khan was awarded the Victoria Cross.
"On 31st October, 1914, at Hollebeke, Belgium, the British Officer in charge of the detachment having been wounded, and the other gun put out of action by a shell, Sepoy Khudadad, though himself wounded, remained working his gun until all the other five men of the gun detachment had been killed."
London Gazette 4 December 1914.
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