SEPOY CHATTAR SINGH KALCHURI - AWARDED VICTORIA CROSS FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOUR AT BATTLE OF WADI - IMMORTAL RAJPUTS

1886-1961

b. 1886 Cawnpore, India. d. 28/03/1961 Tilsara, India.

Sepoy Chattar Singh, was awarded Victoria Cross in 1916 for his chivalrous act in 1st World War at Tigris Front, Mesopatamia (IRAQ) hailed from haihayvansi Kalchuri rajput family from Kanpur.

prior to his enlistment with the 9th Bhopal Infantry, which became part of the British Army during the Great War.

He was a Sepoy (Private) when he was posted to Mesopotamia in the early months of 1916, when he was involved in the Battle of the Wadi on the 13th January 1916, when he and John Alexander Sinton would both be awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 13th January 1916 during the Battle of the Wadi, Mesopotamia, Sepoy Chatta Singh left cover to assist his commanding officer, who was lying wounded and helpless in the open. The sepoy bound up the officer's wounds and then dug cover for him with his entrenching tool, being exposed all the time to very heavy rifle fire. For five hours until nightfall he stayed with the wounded officer, shielding him with his body on the exposed side. He then, under cover of darkness, went back for assistance and brought the officer to safety.

He was gazetted for the Victoria Cross on 21st June 1916, and his medal was posted to the India Office on 26th June 1916, and it is believed it was presented to him by Captain Ralston, Indian Army at OC Depot, Fyzabad, United Provinces, India during July 1916. 

This photo shows decorated Indian soldiers, including Chatta Singh (second left), awarded the VC in the battle. 

Chatta Singh later transferred to the 16th Punjab Regiment and survived the Great War.

Picture of Chatta Singh of 9 Bhopal Infantry meeting Army Chief Rajendrasinhji Jadeja.

He finished his Army career as a Havildar (Sergeant), and lived in latter life in the United Provinces near to Kanpur. He died on 28th March 1961 in Tilsanda District and was cremated in the village. His medals are not publicly held.

Chatta Singh's memorial stone laid at the National Memorial Arboretum in March 2015.

LOCATION OF MEDAL: NOT PUBLICLY HELD. (SOLD AT AUCTION 2006)

BURIAL PLACE: CREMATED IN TILSARA VILLAGE, INDIA.